Journey from a cow to Hyundai Motors

The fascinating story of Chung Ju-yung-the founder of Hyundai Motors 

Get ready for a real-life rag to riches tale as we recount the extraordinary life of a man that created one of the most successful and largest motor companies in South Korea and the cow that was sacrificed in the process. 

Young Chung Ju Yung (Source:http://news.joins.com/article/18932001)

Chung Yu-Tang (1915—2001) was an ordinary boy born to a poor peasant family in Tongchon-(present North Korea.  He was the eldest son and his Father harboured hopes that he would take over the family farm. Chung barely managed to finish elementary school as he spent most of the time labouring on his parents’ farm.  However, this life-style was far from satisfactory to Chung and thus he started crafting his escape route from the village and poverty. 

At the age of 16 he attempted his first escape from Tongchon. Chung and one of his friend packed their bags and trekked over 15 miles over dangerous pathways across Peachon valley in attempt to find work at Kowon (currently North Korea). They started working at the construction site until his Father recovered his whereabouts and ordered him to return. But Chung hasn’t given up just yet, once everyone forgot about his first stint, he attempted another escape- this time to Seoul (currently South Korea).  He sold one of his family cows and bought a train ticket to Seoul for KRW 70. The mission would have been successful, but his father found him two months later and returned him to Tongchong. 

Fortunately, killing Chungs ambition wasn’t as easy as his family thought. At the age of 18 he made his final escape. He left at night- once again bound to Seoul. Upon his arrival, he took up any jobs he could find to make ends meet. Eventually he was employed by a rice store as a delivery man. Soon he became the integral part of the shop and was promoted to bookkeeper and accountant within first six months of employment. Chung drove moderate rice shop to prosperity and therefore upon the existing owner’s death he inherited the shop and became sole proprietor of his first business. He changed the name of the shop to Kyungil rice shop and made good returns. During the Japanese occupation, his business ran into trouble due to colonial policies and thus his first business came to an end. 

Chung, however, was not one to give up and even though he spent few years back in his family’s home, he had no intention to return to farming. He hatched a new plan and soon was on route to Seoul on his fifth escape from hometown. After some consideration he decided to open a service garage, the venture was successful and soon grew from 20 to 70 employees.  However, in 1943 Japanese occupational government merged the garage with steel plant and he was forced out of his dream and once again on a train back to his farm. 

Once Korea gained independence from Japan in 1946, Chung saw another opportunity to escape the farm. He returned promptly to Seoul to take advantage of the post-war rebuilding and founded company called Hyundai. He won number of significant contracts with Korean Nuclear Plants and Railways. His brother spoke good English and therefore they were able to secure some American Military contracts which made his business even bigger success. From there on Hyundai was on its pathway to become one of the largest and most successful conglomerates started in South Korea. 

In 1998 Chung led 500 cows across Demilitarized Zone between North and South Korea as a repayment for the cow he stole from his father to make his escape to Seoul. Chung hoped cattle would support struggling families in North Korea and pose as a symbolic gesture for re-unification of the peninsula. 

Author: Egle Poceviciute