0
John Slinger (fifth from left), UK Trade Envoy and Member of Parliament, poses for a commemorative photo during a visit to the HD Hyundai Heavy Industries headquarters in Ulsan on the 15th. / HD Hyundai Heavy Industries

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries welcomed a British government trade envoy to discuss ways to expand cooperation in the shipbuilding and offshore industry. Following a visit by Britain's Princess Anne in July, visits by high-profile figures have continued, signaling increasingly active industrial cooperation between the two nations.

According to HD Hyundai Heavy Industries on the 15th, John Slinger, UK Trade Envoy and Member of Parliament, visited the company's headquarters in Ulsan on this day to discuss major issues in the shipbuilding and maritime sectors and tour ship and naval vessel construction sites.

Trade Envoy Slinger met with Park Yong-yeol, executive vice president and head of the Naval & Special Ship Business Unit at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, to exchange views on potential bilateral cooperation. He subsequently inspected ship and naval vessel building sites within the shipyard, observing HD Hyundai Heavy Industries' production facilities and shipbuilding technology.

The visit was arranged as the British government seeks to strengthen trade and investment cooperation with South Korea, exploring new business opportunities in key sectors such as clean energy and advanced technologies. HD Hyundai Heavy Industries introduced its technological capabilities and business acumen in future growth sectors, including eco-friendly vessels, smart shipbuilding technology, and offshore energy, and discussed avenues for partnership.

Trade Envoy Slinger said, "It was deeply meaningful to see HD Hyundai Heavy Industries' cutting-edge facilities and technological prowess firsthand." He added, "As leading maritime nations globally, the UK and South Korea share vast potential for cooperation not only in shipbuilding and maritime affairs, but across diverse areas such as advanced manufacturing and clean energy. I look forward to this visit serving as a catalyst for creating new business opportunities between companies in both nations."

Visits to HD Hyundai Heavy Industries by key British figures have continued this year. In July, Princess Anne, sister to King Charles III, visited the Ulsan shipyard to discuss bilateral cooperation with senior management, including HD Hyundai Executive Vice Chair Chung Ki-sun.

An official from HD Hyundai Heavy Industries stated, "The UK is an important partner with whom we have maintained a long-standing cooperative relationship in shipbuilding, maritime, and advanced technology sectors." The official added, "Building on the technological prowess and industrial strengths of both nations, we will continue to expand cooperation opportunities across various fields, including eco-friendly ships, defense, and offshore industries."

                                                                                                                 Kim Yu-ra