Samsung Electronics hosted 177 executives and their spouses from Hyundai Motor Group and its own affiliates Monday for an unprecedented gathering aimed at strengthening ties between two of South Korea's largest conglomerates.

The event, dubbed "HMG Appreciation Day," took place at Samsung's Seocheon training center in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province. Samsung said it was the first time it had organized such a large-scale event exclusively for another major Korean conglomerate.

Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Jun Young-hyun and Hyundai Motor Group Vice Chairman Chang Jae-hoon led the gathering, which included a concert, dinner and an exhibition of Samsung's automotive technologies.

"Samsung and Hyundai Motor Group have been steadfast partners throughout Korea's industrial history," Jun said in his welcoming remarks, expressing hope that Hyundai's mobility ambitions and Samsung's technological capabilities would open up new business opportunities.

Chang pointed to the companies' expanding cooperation beyond conventional automotive components.

"Samsung and Hyundai Motor Group are expanding opportunities for cooperation beyond automotive electronics, audio and batteries into future industries, including robotics and energy," he said.

Samsung attendees included Roh Tae-moon, co-CEO and head of its device experience division, Park Yong-in, head of its System LSI business, and Han Jin-man, head of its foundry business.

Executives from Samsung's major component subsidiaries also attended, including Samsung SDI CEO Choi Joo-sun, Samsung Display CEO Yi Chung, Samsung Electro-Mechanics CEO Chang Duck-hyun and Harman CEO Christian Sobottka.

Hyundai Motor Group's delegation included Seo Gang-hyun, head of corporate planning, Manfred Harrer, head of research and development, and Park Min-woo, head of its advanced vehicle platform division. Manufacturing chief Jung Jun-cheul and Hyundai Glovis CEO Lee Kyu-bok also attended.

Samsung used the gathering to showcase automotive semiconductors, solid-state batteries, camera modules and electronic components. Samsung Display and Harman presented technologies for software-defined vehicles, including next-generation displays and vehicle control systems.

The event follows years of expanding business cooperation between the groups.

Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong and Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Chung Euisun met twice in 2020 to discuss electric vehicle batteries and other technologies. Samsung SDI signed its first EV battery supply agreement with Hyundai in 2023.

The companies have also worked together on connected-car services through Samsung's SmartThings platform. In February 2025, Samsung SDI, Hyundai Motor and Kia agreed to jointly develop high-performance batteries for service robots.

By Moon Joon-hyun (mjh@heraldcorp.com)