Hyundai Whistle-Blower, in Rarity for South Korea, Prompts Recall -
By JEYUP S. KWAAKMAY 16, 2017
SEOUL, South Korea — Kim Gwang-ho, an automotive engineer, did something last year
that many South Koreans saw as an act of betrayal: He became a whistle-blower.
“If someone higher-ranked than you says you do it, you do it, no questions asked,” Mr. Kim, 55, said in an
April interview, echoing critics who say South Korea suffers from a rigid hierarchical corporate culture.
The 240,000 vehicles recalled — all in South Korea — add to another 1.4 million
Hyundai offered to fix last month in South Korea and the United States.
But on Friday, the government ordered Hyundai to recall 240,000 vehicles in South Korea and said
that it would refer accusations that it hid defects to prosecutors.
The government cited manufacturing issues brought to its attention by an insider it did not identify,
but Hyundai, government officials, the local news media and Mr. Kim have all said that he is that insider.
