Kim Jong-seok, Chairman of Pyunghwa Group, has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Engineering by Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST) in recognition of his contributions to Korea’s automotive parts industry and industry-academia collaboration.

DGIST (President Lee Kun-woo) held its 2026 Summer Commencement Ceremony at the DGIST Convention Hall on the 14th, conferring degrees on a total of 179 graduates, including 46 Ph.D. recipients, 74 master’s degree recipients, and 59 bachelor’s degree recipients.

The honorary degree recognizes Chairman Kim’s longstanding efforts to advance technological self-reliance and competitiveness in Korea’s automotive parts industry, as well as his continued support for joint research and talent development with DGIST since its early years.

Chairman Kim has contributed to the localization and technological advancement of key automotive rubber components, including critical parts that had previously relied on imports. These efforts have generated import-substitution effects worth trillions of Korean won and have contributed to strengthening the technological foundation of Korea’s automotive parts industry.

His management philosophy emphasizes that sustainable corporate competitiveness is built on continuous investment in technology, quality, and people. Based on this philosophy, he has pursued new growth opportunities by leveraging manufacturing expertise while actively responding to changes in the industrial environment.

Chairman Kim has also placed strong emphasis on collaboration between industry and research institutions. In particular, Pyunghwa Industrial and DGIST recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to promote AI transformation (AX) in the robotics industry, expanding their partnership into future-oriented technologies.

The ceremony was attended by 13 senior executives and eight retired executives of Pyunghwa Group, who joined in celebrating Chairman Kim’s honorary doctorate. The DGIST Alumni Association also presented him with a special commemorative plaque in recognition of his contributions.

Pyunghwa Group plans to continue strengthening its competitiveness in future industries by leveraging its technological expertise and manufacturing capabilities, while pursuing technological innovation and talent development through continued industry-academia-research collaboration.

AI Times Korea (Artificial Intelligence Newspaper) https://www.aitimes.kr