{"id":6035,"date":"2024-09-04T15:29:36","date_gmt":"2024-09-04T06:29:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/211.193.203.141\/?p=6035"},"modified":"2025-05-30T13:05:47","modified_gmt":"2025-05-30T04:05:47","slug":"john%c2%b7dangi%c2%b7madhupal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.hyundaicorp.com\/en\/john%c2%b7dangi%c2%b7madhupal\/","title":{"rendered":"John\u00b7Dangi\u00b7Madhupal"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"(1994) John (left) and Dangi (right) learning Korean by phone <\/strong><\/p>\n

There is an old saying that goes, \u201cTime changes everything.\u201d Three decades are long enough to completely change a man. Do you think that foreigners who have spent thirty years working for a Korean trading company are similar to Koreans in nature?<\/p>\n

On October 7, three Indians from Hyundai Corporation (HC) visited Korea. They have worked with the company over three decades on average. Therefore, they can be considered professionals in their business areas and are known to have worked for HC longer than other HC employees.<\/p>\n

HC Chairman Chung Mong-hyuck greeted them in person at an upmarket Korean restaurant in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, to thank them for their long dedication to HC\u2019s business success. <\/p>\n

After a week-long tour of popular sites in Korea, including Jeju Island, they departed for India. We interviewed the three Indians whose work period combined is as long as 94 years.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u203b We are destined to work for Hyundai Corporation<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"(1995) Participants in HC\u2019s overseas staff training program including Dangi (fourth from right) taking a commemorative photo in front of the Hyundai Group building in Gye-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul <\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cHyundai Corporation changed me from a village boy to a global business organizer. In a true sense, this can be described simply as an incredible journey,\u201d said adviser Dangi who worked for HC for three decades from 1992 to last year.<\/p>\n

He added, \u201cI grew up in a remote village in the Himalayas, northern India. I moved to New Delhi for better education and jobs. Via self-study, I was able to join the prestigious Hyundai Group.\u201d Adviser Dangi was in charge of the steel pipe business, helping Hyundai Steel make inroads into the US market.<\/p>\n

When we asked him about the difficulties he experienced working for the Korean firm, he replied that he had difficulties in presentations and reporting. He explained, \u201cKorea\u2019s reporting system is unique. At first, I was deeply stressed by frequent presentations but later, I concentrated on naturally accepting the corporate culture, rather than feeling stressed and pressured.\u201d<\/p>\n

He added, \u201cI would like to recommend young Koreans to work tirelessly at their workplace and to enjoy a more leisurely life after work.\u201d This seems to signify the importance of mental attitudes to work.\n<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u203b \u201cI loved the Hyundai Spirit\u201d\u2026Turned Down a Job Offer from a Competitor<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"(On October 7) HC Chairman Chung Mong-hyuck (fourth from right) and invited Indian staff taking a commemorative photo in a Korean restaurant in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul. <\/strong><\/p>\n

Adviser John has a longer career than the other two. He worked for HC for 36 years from 1986 when he joined HC to last year, excluding his career at HD Hyundai (former Hyundai Heavy Industries). When we asked him for a comment, he mentioned the Hyundai Spirit. He said, \u201cI maintained solid relationships with colleagues in HC\u2019s head office and in other nations during my work period. More than anything, I was able to imbibe the Hyundai Spirit.\u201d<\/p>\n

He added, \u201cThe Hyundai Spirit means that nothing is impossible with hard work and dedication.\u201d In other words, Hyundai Group\u2019s challenging spirit that is represented by the Late Honorary Chairman of Hyundai Group Chung Ju-yung\u2019s famous remarks, \u201cHey! have you ever tried that?\u201d was successfully delivered to the Indian businessman.<\/p>\n

Adviser John is not the only one that has been fascinated by the Hyundai Spirit. Adviser Dangi also revealed, \u201cWorking for Hyundai is like maintaining a marriage. I learned about Koreans\u2019 mentality, behaviors, and work ethics from adviser John.\u201d He added, \u201cI received a better job offer from a competitor but turned it down because I thought that dedication and commitment to my company are more important.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u203b The ambitious challenge continues<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"Advisers Dangi, John, and Madhupal and their spouses (from left) taking a commemorative photo in the HC head office in Jongno-gu, Seoul. <\/strong><\/p>\n

Among the three Indians, there is one person who is yet to retire. He is adviser Madhupal, who transferred from German pharmaceutical company HELM to HC in 1995. According to the contract, he is supposed to work as an adviser until the end of next year. He recalls that for the past 29 years, he has been happy and satisfied with his job.<\/p>\n

In particular, he repeatedly talked about challenges. He said, \u201cThe nature of our work itself was challenging because it depends on our suppliers and buyers as we liaise between them. Market crashes, delays in shipments, quality complaints, claim settlements, etc., are always challenging. However, I could control all those situations without any damage or loss to the company as well as our buyers. I feel proud that I was always a margin-making man.\u201d<\/p>\n

These remarks show that he has had confidence in his capabilities to do his job. The advisers who have grown to become business professionals plan to continue to work actively even after retiring from HC. Adviser Dangi stated, \u201cI have reached the retirement age of 60 but don\u2019t think that I fully retire from work. As a passionate senior, I am working with young people who are eager to study but have yet to secure necessary resources due to financial constraints.\u201d He is operating a scholarship platform whose aim is to offer financial assistance to 100,000 students.<\/p>\n

India is emerging as the world\u2019s factory that can replace China. Korean firms are forecast to employ more locals like the three Indians in the future. We support those who are working tirelessly for Korean trading companies, regardless of their nationality.\n<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

October 14, 2024
\nMaeil Business Newspaper
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