Princess Anne, sister of King Charles III, visited the Ulsan headquarters of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries on the 14th for talks on cooperation between South Korea and the United Kingdom in the shipbuilding and maritime sectors.
She was accompanied by her husband, Sir Timothy Laurence, and British Ambassador to Korea Colin Crooks. The delegation met HD Hyundai Chairman Jung Ki-sun, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Vice Chairman Lee Sang-gyun and other executives.
During the visit, Princess Anne toured the special-purpose vessel construction site and the engine plant. She also received a briefing on cooperation between HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and British defence companies, including Rolls-Royce and Beaufort.
HD Hyundai Heavy Industries has worked with Rolls-Royce since a Republic of Korea Navy frigate programme in 2012. Rolls-Royce supplies the MT30 gas turbine, which HD Hyundai Heavy Industries integrates into a propulsion package for delivery. The package is being applied to the Republic of Korea Navy’s next-generation frigates.
The shipbuilder has also maintained a partnership with Beaufort, a supplier of survival equipment for naval crews, since 2013. Beaufort equipment has been installed on offshore patrol vessels that HD Hyundai Heavy Industries is building for the Philippines.
The visit also reflected the company’s long-standing links with the United Kingdom. In 1970, the late Chung Ju-yung, honorary chairman of Hyundai Group, obtained a letter of recommendation from Charles Longbottom, chairman of A&P Appledore.
Chung referred to the turtle ship shown on a Korean 500-won banknote while explaining that Korea had built ironclad vessels in the 16th century. He later secured a loan to finance construction of the shipyard.
Chung was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1977. He also met Princess Anne in London in 1983 during efforts to secure the Seoul Olympics.
Jung Ki-sun said the United Kingdom was a special partner connected to the beginning of HD Hyundai. He added that the company would support the development of the UK shipbuilding and maritime industries through its technology and shipbuilding capabilities.
