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SOUTHEAST U.S. KOREAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
한미동남부 상공회의소

기아차 '핵심포스트' 전격인사 

4/10/2015

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안병모 부회장 퇴진…신현종 생산법인장 발령
<조지아 공장 등>

현대자동차그룹은 현대차와 기아차의 해외 '핵심 포스트' 두 자리를 전격 교체했다.
8일 현대차그룹은 안병모(65·부회장) 기아차 미국 생산ㆍ판매법인장과 임탁욱(59·부사장) 현대차 해외영업본부장을 각각 고문과 자문으로 위촉했다고 밝혔다. 고문과 자문은 비상근 명예직으로 안 부회장과 임 부사장이 경영 일선에서 2선 후퇴했다는 것을 의미한다. 현대차 관계자는 “갈수록 치열해지는 글로벌 업체 간 경쟁에서 주도권을 이어가기 위한 조치”라면서 "인사 당사자들도 조직이 새롭게 전환돼야 한다는 점에서 흔쾌히 동의했다"고 설명했다. 안 부회장은 1998년 기아차 미국법인장, 2005년 기아차 조지아 공장 건설 담당 부사장, 2008년 생산·판매법인 총괄 대표를 지내는 등 15년 넘게 기아차의 미국 시장 공략을 현장에서 이끈 영업통이었다.
쇄신 분위기를 극대화하기 위한 후속 인사도 곧바로 발표됐다. 현대차는 장원신(57·전무) 해외판매사업부장을 부사장 직책인 해외영업본부장으로 승진시키고, 기아차는 신현종(59·부사장·사진) 조지아 공장장을 생산 법인장, 손장원(55·전무) 유럽실장을 미국 판매 법인장으로 각각 보직 발령했다. 

이는 미국· 유럽· 중국 등 해외 주력 시장에서 수세에 몰린 영업 전선을 재정비해 상황을 반전시키고 조직 분위기를 일신하겠다는 정몽구(77) 현대차그룹 회장의 의중이 담겼다. 

실제로 지난 한해 유로화와 엔화 약세를 등에 업은 일본ㆍ독일 완성차 메이커들의 대규모 인센티브(판매장려금) 공세로 현대·기아차의 미국 시장 점유율은 3년 만에 8% 밑으로 떨어졌다. 시장 상황도 미주 시장에서 승승장구하던 2~3년전과 판이하게 달라졌다. 2011년만 해도 일본 도요타가 '리콜 파동'에 휩싸이고, 미국 업체인 제너럴모터스(GM)·포드·크라이슬러 '빅 3'는 생산직 정리 해고 등 대규모 구조조정을 단행하던 터라 현대차가 공격적으로 시장 점유율을 늘릴 수 있었다. 

하지만 올들어선 글로벌 완성차 업계의 공세에 현대·기아차가 코너에 몰린 형국이다. 도요타·혼다·닛산 등 일본차업체들은 '아베노믹스'로 인한 엔화약세(엔저)효과를 톡톡히 누리고 있고 , 미국 완성차업체 역시 오바마 행정부의 든든한 보조금 정책으로 점유율 확대에 나서고 있다. 실제로 미국 시장조사업체 에드먼즈닷컴 조사 결과, GM과 포드는 지난해 2월부터 올 2월까지 차량 한대당 인센티브로만 매달 평균 3657달러를 썼고, 닛산도 2159달러를 투입했다. '제 값 받기' 정책으로 브랜드 마케팅에 집중한 현대차(1986달러)보다 적게는 173달러, 많게는 1671달러 많다. 중국 시장에서도 포드에 밀려 점유율 순위가 5위로 하락했다. 

Koreadaily 김영민 기자
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Message from the Embassy

4/1/2015

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Ambassador Ahn Ho-young


Greetings to friends and colleagues!


Three years ago this month, Korea and the United States implemented the most important free trade agreement in the Pacific region to date - the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA). Since then, this agreement has strengthened the foundations of the Republic of Korea-U.S. Alliance, fostered closer partnerships between our people, and promoted economic growth and investment in both countries.

The economic benefits of the KORUS FTA are evident from the numbers. Bilateral trade volume has exceeded $100 billion each year the agreement has been in effect, including a record $145.2 billion in trade in goods and services last year alone. American exports to Korea are rising in many sectors, including agriculture, pharmaceuticals and automotives. Furthermore, our trade is extremely balanced, with trade in goods, services and bilateral investments all rising since 2012.

The success of the KORUS FTA has guided Korea's trade strategy in the years since its implementation. With the KORUS FTA as the "Gold Standard," we continue to pursue trade agreements with friends and neighbors around the world. This dedication to free and open trade drives our interest in joining the United States' other major trade initiative: the Trans-Pacific Partnership. It is in consideration of these developments that I express my appreciation for the agreement's contributions to all aspects of our bilateral relationship over the past three years. At the same time, I am resolved to continue working to strengthen the partnership between Korea and the United States.

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Ambassador Ahn Ho-young
Spotlight on the KORUS FTA 

The KORUS FTA entered into force three years ago, opening a dynamic market, making it simpler and faster to trade with Korea, and providing new ways for businesses to grow. Just three years into implementation, the large-scale impact of the KORUS FTA has manifested in a myriad of trade successes. U.S. goods exports to Korea in 2014 grew 6.8 percent over the previous year, reaching a record high $44.5 billion. Below are a few highlights from the manufacturing, agriculture, services and intellectual property sectors. 

In 2014, U.S. exports of manufactured goods totaled $37.4 billion, 
 a 5.6 percent increase over 2013. 


In 2014, U.S. agricultural exports to Korea  totaled $6.9 billion, 
 a 31.2 percent increase over 2013. 


In 2014, U.S. exports in services and intellectual property to Korea increased 24.4 percent to an estimated $20.7 billion in 2014, compared to $16.7 billion in 2011. 

To learn more, click here to view the United States Trade Representative's KORUS FTA Third Anniversary Fact Sheet.


*Services figures above are from 2013 - the last full year of services data available. 


Source: USTR KORUS Third Anniversary Fact Sheet


The Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement: 

Celebrating Three Successful Years and Counting

March 15 marked the third anniversary of the entry into force of the KORUS FTA, delivering tangible benefits for businesses throughout Korea and the United States. In only three years, the trade in goods and services between Korea and the United States continues to grow, reaching an all-time high, with a total Korea-U.S. trade volume of $145.2 billion, up from $126.5 billion in 2011 (USTR).

As we embark on a fourth year of trade under the KORUS FTA, the agreement further expands U.S. access to Korea, which is already the United States' 6th largest trading partner and boasts a growing $1 trillion economy and 49 million consumers. Government, industry and business leaders are celebrating the KORUS FTA's anniversary and looking ahead to increased cooperation and success. Below are a few highlights from this groundbreaking agreement.


U.S. Trade Representative Commemorates the KORUS FTA's Anniversary

U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman released a statement and fact sheet marking the three-year anniversary of the entry into force of the KORUS FTA. According to USTR, the U.S.-Korea trade and investment relationship is substantially larger and stronger than in 2011, and the KORUS FTA has contributed to a strong and successful 2014 for American exporters. 

"After battling economic headwinds, our trade with Korea is expanding, American industries are gaining market-share across the range of sectors from autos and chemicals to film and telecom; and this past year in particular we saw a surge in U.S. goods and services being sold in Korea. Because we have made trade with Korea easier, farmers and ranchers are exporting "Grown-in-America" cherries, beef, cheese, and other ag products at record levels; labs and studios are providing Koreans with more "Created-in-America" medicines, apps, and Internet services; and businesses of all shapes and sizes are better able to sell "Made-in-America" goods in Korea."


"Made In America" Manufactured Goods Exports Grow

Year-on-year goods exports to Korea for 2014 were up 6.8 percent compared to 2013, a record level of $44.5 billion.  Of this record high, manufactured goods accounted for $37.4 billion, a 5.6 percent increase in 2014. This growth is nearly four times greater than U.S. manufacturing export growth to the world at large - and is now 8.7 percent above pre-FTA levels.  This growth has been strong across high-technology manufacturing, autos, heavy industry and consumer goods.

"Grown In America" Agricultural Products Exports Grow

U.S. agricultural exports to Korea grew 31.2 percent last year - seven times faster than average agriculture export growth with the world. Strong performers include dairy products, spirits, meats, nuts and fruits.

According to the U.S. Dairy Export Council, since the implementation of the KORUS FTA in 2012, U.S. dairy sales to Korea have increased 86 percent compared to the year before the FTA took effect, reaching a high of $417 million last year. The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) reported that in the three years following the implementation of the KORUS FTA, U.S. spirits exports to Korea have soared by 71 percent to $14.5 million in 2014, up from $8.4 million in 2011.

U.S. Services and Intellectual Property Exports Grow



U.S. services exports to Korea continue to be a strong area of growth, up 24.4 percent to an estimated $20.7 billion in 2014, compared to $16.7 billion in 2011. This growth rate is nearly double the overall 13.1 percent growth of U.S. services exports to the world. The KORUS FTA gave U.S. services providers and investors new market access in Korea, and has provided increased access to Korea's market for U.S. express delivery services. The legal services market in Korea has also opened as a result of the KORUS FTA, and now more than a dozen U.S. law firms are offering legal services. In addition, Korea has undertaken reforms to allow U.S.-based financial institutions in Korea to process data in their regional and global offices. The KORUS FTA also created opportunities for U.S. investors to wholly own Korean telecommunications operators.


The KORUS FTA has also spurred cross-border investment between the two countries, and the United States continues to be the top destination for Korea's Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). For the first three quarters of 2014, Korea's FDI in the United States totaled $6.3 billion, and the U.S. FDI in Korea totaled $2.3 billion.


As we enter a new year of trade under the KORUS FTA, the Korean and U.S. governments are working closely to fully implement this gold-standard free trade agreement. In the days ahead, Korean and U.S. businesses will continue to see the broader benefits of this landmark agreement. 


About U.S. Korea Connect
The U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA) is an international partnership designed to promote the free flow of products and services between the United States and Korea. This new economic relationship spurs business growth, creates jobs, generates new markets for U.S. goods and services, and strengthens an important strategic alliance.
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GAMA/AAMA Golf Tournament

3/20/2015

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GAMA/AAMA offering KSEUSCC members a reduced affiliate rate (same as GAMA members) to register for the tournament.  A portion of the proceeds will go to support scholarships through SAWF. 
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Mortgages for Foreign Nationals

3/3/2015

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Georgia Notes Record Increase in Exports, Imports

2/27/2015

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News Release: Associated Press
February 10, 2015
ATLANTA (AP) -- Gov. Nathan Deal says Georgia experienced record increases in both exports and imports for the fifth straight year.

Deal said Monday that Georgia saw a 4.9 percent increase in exports and an 11.5 percent increase in imports compared to the last fiscal year.

The U.S. Census Bureau says Georgia held on to its ranking as 11th in the nation in exporting. Deal says the state also moved from the eighth to the seventh largest in importing.

Georgia Economic Development Director Chris Carr says the numbers indicate companies in the state are remaining competitive globally, which helps create jobs and investment opportunities.

Carr says Canada, China, Mexico and the United Kingdom are Georgia's top four export destinations. The largest percentage increase in exports was in South Korea, Germany, Brazil and Australia.

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The Southeast U.S. Korean Chamber of Commerce (SEUSKCC) 한미동남부 상공회의소
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