Hyundais Kashmir Tweet: The Pakistani unit of Hyundai Motors, a South Korean company, had posted a message in support of separatists in Kashmir. Hyundai Motor's India unit then faced strong reactions on social media.
On the occasion of the so-called Kashmir Unity Day, India summoned the South Korean ambassador for sharing a post on social media by Hyundai Motors' Pakistan unit and expressed strong resentment over such an unacceptable post. Later, South Korean Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar called and apologized for the incident, the External Affairs Ministry said on Tuesday.
Kashmir Unity Day is observed in Pakistan on 5th February every year. On that day, Pakistani leaders entertained the audience with their speeches claiming Kashmir, an integral part of India. The Pakistani unit of Hyundai Motors, a South Korean company, also posted a message in support of separatists in Kashmir on Saturday. Hyundai Motor's India unit then faced strong reactions on social media.
Hyundai also apologized:
Meanwhile, South Korean automaker Hyundai Motor has apologized for an unauthorized tweet from a Pakistani partner in Kashmir, removing the post. However, the company is facing a boycott from Indian citizens on this post.
Hyundai issued a statement on Tuesday. "We are deeply saddened by the loss of Indian citizens due to this unauthorized social media handle post," the statement said.
Earlier, on the instructions of the Ministry of External Affairs, the Indian Ambassador in Seoul contacted Hyundai's headquarters and sought clarification from them. The foreign ministry on Monday summoned South Korea's ambassador to the United States and held him accountable for his remarks. The ambassador was told that the issue was related to India's territorial integrity and could not be compromised, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said on Tuesday.
South Korean Foreign Minister Chung Yue-yong called on his Indian counterpart S. Jaishankar was contacted by telephone on Tuesday morning and discussed a number of issues. The issue of the Hyundai Post was raised at that time. Yong then apologized for the disrespect shown to the Indian government and Indians by the social media post, Bagchi said.
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