[News Space=Reporter seungwon lee] Chung Chang-chul (28), eldest son of Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Euisun, has joined the group's Japan subsidiary, Hyundai Mobility Japan (HMJ), as a regular employee, marking the beginning of his formal "management training."

Within industry circles, while the succession plan is becoming clearer, concerns are rising about whether he can overcome controversies, including a past drunk driving incident, and effectively lead in the Korean and Japanese markets.

Joining HMJ in early 2025, Chung Chang-chul works in the product planning department at the Yokohama headquarters, leading future vehicle development and product evaluation. Hyundai re-entered the Japanese market in 2022 after 12 years, focusing on electric vehicles and car-sharing to strengthen its "future mobility" capabilities.

In the first half of this year, Hyundai sold 438 vehicles in Japan, setting a record for the best half-year performance. New models like the INSTER EV contributed to a slight increase in market share within Japan's imported car market, targeting 680 sales units annually in 2025.

The product planning department is a core division closely linked with R&D, marketing, and technology. An industry insider said, "Japan remains a 'barren land' for foreign cars, so this is an opportunity for the fourth-generation heir to gain experience and demonstrate market pioneering will." The insider added, "His performance will become a key criterion for evaluating his future leadership within Hyundai Motor Group."

Regarding past drunk driving incidents, Chung was involved in a serious accident in July 2021, driving a Genesis GV80 registered under Chairman Chung’s name while heavily intoxicated (blood alcohol concentration of 0.164%, double the legal limit of 0.08%). He crashed into a guardrail in Seoul, leading to a fine of 9 million KRW and harsh criticism that this incident was a major hindrance to the succession process.

This case continues to cast a shadow over the integrity and morality expected of Hyundai’s fourth-generation leadership. Public scrutiny and skepticism about the social responsibilities and leadership of chaebol heirs remain high, and the burden of past drunk driving is significant.

For Hyundai, Japan is a sensitive market due to the company's withdrawal in 2009. Appointing the eldest son with the mission of fortifying their first foothold is interpreted as a typical step to verify competitiveness and avoid repeated failures.

With Hyundai expanding its Japan business and future model launches centered on HMJ, regaining consumer trust is a critical task for the fourth-generation heir.

Industry experts say that Chung must prove his capability early beyond mere "management training." They emphasize that public responsibility, transparent management, and adherence to societal "common sense" will determine the success or failure of Hyundai's fourth-generation succession. Domestic and international business and civic groups are closely monitoring his actions.