Hyundai Motor Group holds launch ceremony for ‘2026 Happy Move’ university student overseas volunteer programme

Hyundai Motor Group held the launch ceremony for '2026 Happy Move' on Wednesday 24th at the Hyundai Motor and Kia headquarters in Yangjae (located in Seocho-gu, Seoul), marking the official start of the programme.

'Happy Move' is a flagship corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative by Hyundai Motor Group, designed to help university students grow into future leaders through overseas volunteer work and cultural exchange experiences. Since its inception in 2008, more than 13,000 people have taken part.

Attending the launch ceremony were Group officials including Sung Kim, President of the Strategic Planning Division at Hyundai Motor Group, and Executive Vice President Kim Dong-wook, Head of the Strategic Planning Office, along with Habitat Korea Chairperson Ma Hee-ja, World Vision Division Head Na Yoon-cheol, Plan Korea Headquarters Head Kim Byung-hak, around 200 university student volunteers, and employee mentors.

This year's programme will take place in Indonesia and Vietnam in July and August, focusing on ▲ overseas volunteer work ▲ cultural exchange ▲ and visits to Hyundai Motor Group's overseas business sites.

In his welcome speech, Sung Kim, President of the Strategic Planning Division at Hyundai Motor Group, encouraged the participants, saying: "I hope this will be a meaningful time to learn the value of sharing in the field and to understand different cultures." He added, "Volunteering is not only about helping others but also a process of personal growth, so I hope you gain new perspectives and confidence through 'Happy Move'."

Following domestic orientation, volunteer work and cultural exchange activities will take place in Indonesia and Vietnam

Earlier, from 4th to 17th May, Hyundai Motor Group recruited applicants from university students nationwide and, after document screening and interviews, finalised the selection of the '2026 Happy Move' members.

All university students across the country were given fair opportunities to apply regardless of gender, age, region, or major, and selected members receive full support for all necessary expenses, including airfare and local activity costs.

Immediately after the launch ceremony, the members will participate in a three-day, two-night domestic orientation, where they will complete basic training required for overseas volunteering and finalise preparations for cultural exchange, before being dispatched to their respective countries.

In Indonesia, rapid economic growth has led to income disparities, making housing issues for vulnerable groups a serious social problem. Urbanisation has also reduced green spaces, causing environmental issues such as global warming and rising sea levels.

In Vietnam, widening wealth gaps and regional imbalances have worsened the housing, education, and living conditions of vulnerable children, creating an urgent need for economic and policy support.

Accordingly, members dispatched to Indonesia will work with international housing welfare NGO 'Habitat' and international relief NGO 'Plan' to build houses for vulnerable groups, repair school facilities, and carry out volunteer activities including waste and recycling education, as well as hygiene-related education.

In addition, they will engage in mutual exchanges with local university students, including climate and environment discussions and cultural performances, and plan to visit Hyundai Motor's Indonesian manufacturing corporation (HMMI) and Hyundai Motor Studio Senayan Park.

Members dispatched to Vietnam will collaborate with international relief NGO 'World Vision' to conduct STEAM and oral hygiene education, build school libraries, and create mural paintings as part of their volunteer activities.

※ STEAM: An integrated education approach encompassing Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics

They will also hold cultural exchange events with students and local residents at the kindergartens and primary schools where they are working, and visit Hyundai Motor's Vietnamese manufacturing corporation (HTMV).

Meanwhile, Hyundai Motor Group is selecting university student members locally in Indonesia and Vietnam to provide them with opportunities to participate in '2026 Happy Move', and will also arrange mutual cultural exchange sessions with Korean members.