Chung junior gets promoted

       Hyundai Motor Co chairman Chung Mong-koo's son was promoted to vice chairman at the automaker, Hyundai said yesterday.
       Chung Eui-sun, formerly a president at Hyundai affiliate Kia Motors Corp,replaces Choi Jae-kook, who retired earlier this year, Hyundai said in a statement.
       The younger Chung,38,"becomes one of six vice-chairmen at Hyundai,"said company spokesman Ki Jin-ho.
       Hyundai is South Korea's largest automobile maker.
       "Chung will be in charge of sales and planning in his new post," Hyundai said.
       With the appointment, the automaker said it aimed to further elevate its competitiveness and reach the top tier of the global industry.
       Hyundai, along with Kia, is the world's fifth-largest automative group and has been benefitting from a weaker won in overseas markets.
       Separately, Kia said in a statement that it appointed Lee Hyoung-keun to replace Chung as president.
       Lee, formerly head of Kia's international business division,"will be in charge of corporate planning, marketing and overseas business operations," Kia said.
       The automaker has two presidents,according to spokesman Michael Choo.
       Kia plans to start producing vehicles later this year at its first factory in the United States. located in West Point,Georgia.
       The plant is not far from Hyundai's sole US factory in Montgomery, Alabama.