A lot has happened since the Christmas issue in 2021, but I am still delighted to welcome you in the new year.
First and foremost, I would like to thank you for your hard work and dedication as we closed 2021, just like 2020 before, with good results.
Even the fact that the pandemic continued to put many colleagues out of work for longer or shorter periods of time did not prevent this performance.
Even though the fifth wave of the coronavirus has ended and we have lifted some of the restrictions at Hankook, I continue to urge you to be cautious.
Unfortunately, after the pandemic, another event affecting the masses occurred at the beginning of the year: the crisis in Ukraine, which has been going on for weeks.
As it is a neighboring country, thousands of refugees have arrived in Hungary in the last month, including some family members of our Ukrainian colleagues.
We are helping them with accommodation and food, but I would like to ask all our colleagues who work with Ukrainian workers to be very tolerant and supportive with them in these difficult times.
In March, the company has decided on the wage increase rate for 2022. It was not an easy decision considering that oil prices, as well as all raw materials and energy costs, continue to rise due to the war situation. Considering the current difficult and unpredictable business environment it was the best that the company could decide on.
This year’s business environment is expected to be more difficult than ever, but let’s all do our best to create a happy workplace.
I will also do my best.
Once again, I would like to thank you for your hard work and wish you a peaceful Easter with your loved ones. My special tribute to those who will continue to work during the holidays. Take care of yourselves, take care of each other!
Best regards,
Kim Hyung Yun