President Park Geun-hye rode in a bulletproof limousine made by Hyundai Motor Co. during her inauguration on Monday, Hyundai officials said, in what could be a symbolic move that underscores Hyundai’s growing prowess.
Park used the presidential limousine, a stretched version of Hyundai Motor’s flagship luxury sedan, the Equus, when she traveled to the National Assembly from the national cemetery in southern Seoul.
She became the first ever South Korean president to use a locally-made bulletproof limousine for an inauguration ceremony.
Still, Park used a Mercedes-Benz Pullman Guard limousine when she traveled to the national cemetery from her home in southern Seoul.
Hyundai Motor Co., South Korea’s top automaker, donated three bulletproof Equus limousines to the Presidential Security Service in 2009, Hyundai officials said.
Last year, Hyundai Motor handed over a bulletproof Equus limousine to U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, a former South Korean foreign minister. Hyundai Motor also provided a bulletproof Equus limousine to South Korean pop sensation Psy during his recent trip to Brazil.
Hyundai Motor declined to give any details on the presidential limousine, citing a request by the Presidential Security Service.
Usually, bulletproof vehicles are outfitted with armor plating and bullet resistant glass, and can drive even if the wheels are blown off. (Yonhap News)
