Hyundai Group Chairwoman Hyun Jeong-eun has been named honorary counselor for Brazil, the company said Thursday.

As a civilian counselor, Hyun said she hopes to play a critical role in facilitating exchange between the two nations during the appointment ceremony at Brazilian Counselor Edmundo Sussumu Fujita’s home in Seoul. 

“We are seeing a surge in all sectors of trade and exchange with Brazil, a country that is emerging as a new engine of growth for the global economy, and with that in mind, I will make all efforts to contribute to the national economy by forging a stronger partnership between Korea and Brazil,” the chairwoman said.

Hyundai saw significant meaning in the appointment of a female counselor from Korea as Brazil this year elected its first woman president.

Hyundai’s flagship unit, Hyundai Merchant Marine, earlier this year has started to open more transportation routes in the Southern American region.

In March, it opened a new route for its containers connecting Asia and Rio de Janeiro, the second-largest city in Brazil.

Korea officially initiated diplomatic ties with Brazil in October 1959.

By Kim Ji-hyun (jemmie@heraldcorp.com)