Hyundai WIA joins South Gyeongsang disability employment initiative, takes stake in sheltered workshop

Hyundai WIA signed a memorandum of understanding with the Korea Employment Agency for Persons with Disabilities on Tuesday to participate in a South Gyeongsang Province-led disability employment program, the company announced Wednesday.

The program — a public-private partnership overseen by South Gyeongsang Province and carried out with the agency and regional institutions and companies — aims to establish new disability-certified standard workplaces in the province and provide stable jobs for people with disabilities in the region.

Under the MOU, Hyundai WIA will take a 7.5 percent equity stake in Teo Co., a disability-certified standard workplace scheduled to begin hiring in August. The company is designed to let workers with disabilities engage in economic activity through cultural, artistic and sports programs.

Workers there will develop skills across a range of fields — fine arts, music and other cultural and artistic pursuits, sports training, and participation in disability athletic competitions. Hyundai WIA's equity investment and operational support funds will go toward disability employment activities. Teo Co. plans to hire 200 workers with disabilities by 2027 and eventually expand its workforce to 400.

Hyundai WIA said it intends to continue making equity investments to broaden job opportunities for people with disabilities. Last year, it took an 18 percent stake in Jaeseong Co., a disability-certified standard workplace selected by the agency's South Gyeongsang East branch. The autoparts maker purchases salads, coffee, tea and other products sold there at least once a month, using them as employee gifts and donations to vulnerable groups.

Beyond equity investment, Hyundai WIA has been expanding collaboration with disability-linked employment workplaces on service contracts and broadening its social contribution activities for people with disabilities. It has also increased partnerships with such workplaces for the production of promotional printed materials, banners and installations used at in-house events.

Through its "Dream Car" program, the company donates vehicles each year to welfare institutions — including sheltered workshops for people with disabilities — supporting mobility and independent living. Since 2013, Hyundai WIA has donated a total of 180 vehicles through the initiative.

The company said it plans to continue expanding its disability support projects and social contribution activities while strengthening its ESG (environmental, social and governance) management.

"For Hyundai WIA, which has grown in South Gyeongsang Province, this program is a meaningful initiative in which the local community, businesses and public institutions work together to expand employment for people with disabilities," a company official said. "We hope this agreement opens new doors for people with disabilities who face significant barriers to entering the job market."

Meanwhile, Hyundai WIA has been pursuing a range of social contribution activities as part of its corporate social responsibility efforts, including signing an MOU with the Seoul Metropolitan Government to create a corporate garden for the 2026 Seoul International Garden Expo in the heart of the city.