Founder's Remarks
Those who believe they can achieve anything will find a way to do so. Doubt will limit you to what you question, and if you think you can't, then you truly won't.
(At the groundbreaking ceremony for Hyundai Heavy Industries in March 1972)Those who believe they can achieve anything will find a way to do so. Doubt will limit you to what you question, and if you think you can't, then you truly won't.
(At the groundbreaking ceremony for Hyundai Heavy Industries in March 1972)- Chung Ju-yung the founder's remarks
- From the autobiography "As I was born in this land"
Those who believe they can achieve anything will find a way to do so. Doubt will limit you to what you question, and if you think you can't, then you truly won't.
(At the groundbreaking ceremony for Hyundai Heavy Industries in March 1972)We Koreans are a resilient people who can overcome any challenge once we set our minds to it.
(At the groundbreaking ceremony for Hyundai Heavy Industries in March 1972)As long as you never give up and pour your efforts into anything, there's nothing you can't achieve.
(While doing manual labor in his mid-20s)The more people doubt you, the stronger your resolve becomes to succeed, driving you to work even harder to make it happen.
(While planning Hyundai Shipbuilding in 1970)I am able to live with a sense of happiness because I choose to see the world as beautiful, bright, hopeful, and positive.
At a special lecture during a summer training camp for new employees in July 1983I strive to make HD the cleanest company, rather than the largest. By achieving this goal, we can become one of the most reputable and efficient companies, not just in Korea, but around the world.
During a special lecture for executives at Hyundai Group in 1983Building a ship isn't all that different from constructing on land; it's just a matter of shifting our construction efforts from the ground to the water.
While examining the construction of a shipbuilding yard in 1971People often say 'time is money,' but I prefer to say 'time is life.
We must look to the future with grand dreams and a positive vision.
All of humanity's advancements have been led by individuals with a positive mindset.
The most fatal mistake of all is giving up.
When constructing No.1 Unit in 1973Up until now, I have never started a factory without being involved in every step, from securing the land and driving in the stakes to paving the road and building it all with my own hands.
True knowledge comes from direct experience; only then can we truly understand its value.
People may see me as a Korean managing a global corporation, but I consider myself nothing more than a well-off worker.
At the celebratory dinner for receiving an honorary Doctorate of Business Administration from George Washington University in 1982.A job isn't just a place to earn a salary; it's a place to grow and develop yourself.
At a training camp for new employees in August 1986Those who live thoughtfully can achieve ten or even a hundred times more than the average person. This is why we criticize those who waste their time—whether they’re not fully engaged in leisure, work, or even rest.
At an interview in the company newsletter for December 1980If there’s no path, find one; and if you still can’t find one, create it as you go.
Challenges exist to be overcome, not to trip you up and bring you down.
Everyone has both good and bad luck at the same time. The moments when we can work joyfully are our good fortune. Those who work hard leave no room for bad luck. Those who complain about their bad luck are often the laziest.
At the Liberal Arts Lecture for Citizens at Gwangju MBC in July 1991The success of a business requires every daring idea, every bold effort, and every courageous move.
Our success leads to the prosperity of our nation, and a prosperous nation, in turn, paves the way for our success.
You should keep your failures close to heart. Those who forget their failures are destined to repeat them.
At the construction site of an expressway in Thailand in 1966International competitiveness is determined by how quickly and effectively a nation or company adapts to new changes with the right policy alternatives
We have grown stronger by enduring and overcoming harsh trials, like climbing a mountain, learning and persevering along the way
When you see the world clearly, with optimism and integrity, and live with the goal of making a positive impact, there will always be plenty of important work to do.
A nation truly flourishes when it openly respects and celebrates those who work hard and excel in their fields.
I wake up early every day because I look forward to what the day holds, filled with excitement and joy for the tasks ahead.
At a training camp for new employees in July 1983Positive thinking leads to happiness.
When a person earns trust through sincerity and honesty, they can use it as a springboard to expand and enrich their life in countless ways.
신용은 나무처럼 자라는 것이다. 또한 신용이란 명예스러운 것이다.
Waking up in the morning fills me with the same excitement I felt as a child on field trip days. At night, I always get ready for a good night’s sleep. This is all possible because I choose to see the world as beautiful, bright, hopeful, and positive.
At a summer training camp for new employees in July 1983Unyielding determination and a spirit of adventure alone won't ensure success for everyone. There must also be careful planning and a strong belief in oneself behind them.
In Hyundai newsletter for May, 1990Only those who believe that anything is possible can truly make it happen.
Foreign scholars often call South Korea's economic growth the "Miracle on the Han River," but I firmly believe that there are no miracles in economics. This success is a result of the proactive spirit and passionate efforts of the Korean people. The key to that achievement lies right here.
At a special in-house lecture at Hyundai in October 1983A workplace is a platform for personal growth. It's not just a place to earn a paycheck; it should be where you go to enhance your development.
At a training camp for new employees in August 1986The foundation of wealth lies in hard work and frugality.
1984년 현대그룹 간부사원 특강에서Until now, there hasn’t been a factory I’ve started that I didn’t begin by preparing the land, driving in the stakes, and building it with my own hands.
The deadliest mistake of all is giving up on what you're doing.
A business's success hinges on adventurous ideas, bold efforts, and courageous actions.
1984년 현대그룹 간부사원 특강에서Young people entering society should be brimming with passion and enthusiasm, their minds agile and ready to adapt. They must be capable of overcoming any challenges or adverse conditions that come their way.
At a special in-house lecture at Hyundai in October 1983Let’s cultivate a calm mindset. A peaceful heart will make you wise, strong, and sharp.
Every day should be filled with freshness and new experiences. If you approach today as if it were just like yesterday and tomorrow just like today, you aren't really living; you're simply existing.
At Wonhyoro Jungki PlantEven if the challenges we face are tough and complex, we possess the confidence and courage to handle them smoothly, without hesitation or fear.
In the first publication of company newsletter in 1974Our happiness in life is shaped by our mindset. The journey to finding joy begins with how we uplift those around us.
At a training camp for new employees in August 1981This is just a challenge, not a failure. As long as we hold on to our dreams, failure cannot truly exist.
The success or failure of any task hinges on the mindset and attitude of the person doing it. A proactive spirit is the key to achieving remarkable results.
A passive person only thinks about the pain of working under the scorching sun and fails to appreciate the happiness of relaxing in the shade of a tree, enjoying the breeze once the work is finished.
Those who overlook small tasks won't be able to achieve great things. On the other hand, those who put their best effort into even the smallest tasks will also dedicate themselves fully to larger ones
While attending the Gwanhun ForumIn difficult times, we learn to overcome challenges through a proactive attitude, a sense of adventure, and a fiery passion. If you were to ask me what the foundation of entrepreneurship is, I would say it lies in an optimistic mindset and self-confidence.
At Wonhyoro Jungki PlantHealth isn’t just about taking medicine; it starts in the mind.
Commuting on foot in the early morning in 1990Thoughts lead to actions, actions create habits, habits shape character, and character ultimately determines the path of one’s life.
At the Hyundai branch in Saudi Arabia in 1986As long as I’m alive, I believe there’s no such thing as failure. While I may face challenges as long as I’m healthy and living, I will never truly fail.
From the autobiography "Ordeal Not Failure"If you work diligently for just one day, you can sleep soundly at night. With a month of hard work, you'll notice improvements in your life. After a year, two years, ten years, or even a lifetime of dedication, anyone can achieve remarkable progress that others will recognize.
There’s no “miracle” in the “Miracle on the Han River.” What truly exists is diligent and wise labor.
Nothing is more wasteful than squandering the precious time each of us has with a mindset of "just enough" and complacency.
Whenever I begin a new endeavor, I fill my confidence with 90% certainty that it will succeed and 10% belief in my ability to do it, allowing no room for even 1% of doubt or anxiety.
The two greatest struggles for humanity are disease and poverty, which create a vicious cycle where illness leads to poverty and poverty leads to illness. It has long been my wish to help those suffering using the wealth generated by countless healthy and capable individuals at Hyundai.
At the foundation ceremony of the Asan Foundation in 1977