Major Korean news outlets are reporting that Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill’s son Nathan had decided to buy a silver Hyundai Elantra(Avante in Korea). Mr. Nathan Hill is reported to be “very satisfied” with his new Hyundai. Assistant Secretary Hill is reported to have said that “Korean cars give good performance and that people should buy Korean cars”. Also, people around Assistant Secretary Hill are reportedly saying that “this is his way of showing his love for Korea.”
Personally, I don’t know what the big deal is, and I wish Korean news outlet won’t make a big deal out of something like this. Imagine the New York Times reporting that the son of a certain S. Korean official had bought a Dodge Dakota, while gushing on how the guy loved his Dodge pickup.
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Maybe they’re reporting about it because even the Korean media is aware how crappy Hyundai cars are and it’s an inside joke among the Korean citizenship.
Yawn, that wins it for the biggest non-news story of the year.
I mean, who cares? I used to drive a Hyundai in the US, can I get a story done about me in the papers too?
Or perhaps a story about how I drive a 10-year old Kia now?
Personally I think these ‘feel good’ stories are embarrassing for Korea to be reporting as big news. It would be one thing if they were an emerging economy, but they are one of the biggest exporters now. Jeeze!
Reminds of when Eminem buying a Sonata for his younger brother made the news.
tz247
They used to be crappy. Since 2000, they are actually quite good…although I must admit that the interior of the Hyundais sold in Canada isn’t as nice as that of the ones sold in Korea. I rode in my dad’s new ‘Elantra’ and I was shocked at how cheap it looked. My friend’s own Avante is much nicer.
One of the reasons is that many Korean people like Christopher Hill.
Hmmm, seems like Chris Hill wanted good press in the Korean media to allow a photographer to tag along and shoot the photo. I wonder what’s coming up for C. Hill and son.
Actually, that would be newsworthy if a government officials son in Korea bought a Dodge truck. However most likely because he would be accused of using his fathers influence to get a vehicle that otherwise is hard to come by in Korea
I’ve had several opportunities to converse with Hill and was always impressed. My estimation of him has now deteriorated significantly as a result of this exercise in unwarranted, unnecessary and counterproductive diplomatic brown-nosing.
I strongly support Mr. Hill.
Actually, Peter Pan, you can order the Dodge Dakota at any one of the Chrysler dealerships here.
i drive the same car, same color. His is an upgrade, new model, though. Mine is 2006. It’s a decent car. No complaints. A little bit cheaper than any other 2.0 liter you can find on the market. And, then there’s the warranty. So, although you can’t sell it and cash in on a used market, it’s good buy to drive to trash it, car.
Let me go on a quantum leap, and guess that South Koreans get the same car at 1.8 liters, no 10 year warranty, and pay a couple thousand more.
Sad truth, ain’t it?
Local US Koreans should buy more Hyundais and stop reflexly buying Japanese. Simply check out the parking lot at your local US Korean supermarket.
what’s the big surprise here?
Chris Hill is a mid-level US Diplomat and prolly earns a salary in the low $100k range.
I’m assuming that while his family income is above average - the Hill’s aren’t exactly swimming in cash and can drop $60k at the drop of a hat to buy his son a new Lexus or BMW.
For bargain car shoppers, hyundai’s provide great value and with all the time he spends in korea he’s prolly ridden around in his fair share and likes the brand itself.
Hill and his son can buy any car they want with impunity. That’s the point. Americans don’t need to be encouraged to buy foreign cars/goods. They also don’t need their elected and non-elected representatives acting as shills and touts for foreign car companies, particularly those from a country like Korea that does so much actively to discourage the purchase of foreign goods in the domestic economy.
My, what a contrast to flinging shit on American beef!
Maybe some of the Koreans who read this item will have the capacity to reflect on the differences in behavior.
If this cheap stunt chips away at the anti-Americanism in this country even a smidgen then good on the guy. That reminds me, I need to carry a picture of my brother’s Elantra in my wallet.
In related news, the Chosun Ilbo is reporting that Chris Hill dyed his dog’s ears pink.
Hill’s reputation just jumped in the minds of 48 million, and sunk in the minds of about 15. Even though I’m one of those 15, I can understand why he’s doing the cheap pandering routine. He knows his audience and knows how to push their buttons.
The next article will show his son working out on a treadmill while listening to a Samsung Yep, with accompanying quote about how much he dislikes the Ipod.
Identify the sucker. Play the sucker. Repeat.
Hahaha… that’s funny. Must be a slow news day. Would there be any headlines if Chris Hill’s son bought a GM Daewoo Kalos/Aveo. Perhaps U.S. owned Korean companies don’t count?
I bet you anything as Korean car companies get more market share in the U.S. stuff like this will be common enough where the local news won’t bother to report it.
“Chris Hill is a mid-level US Diplomat and prolly earns a salary in the low $100k range.”
That’s a bit naive of you to say. He wasn’t elected but nominated for that position, which means that his salary will not be determined by politics but will instead reflect the low end of the going rate in the private sector.
One of my very close relatives occupies a similar position in Canada. If the US salaries are comparable, it would be safer to multiply that 100k by at least 3 and as much as 10 if you include benefits and pension.
Why not cover a story on US military stationed in Korea and the happy stories they have about the wonderful service the massage girls give, and how it’s far superior to the service they’d get back home–even from a girlfriend.
mins0306, you’re doing a great job. Fantastic, in fact.
I agree 100%. Maybe he will inspire another well-regarded Korean pundit, mizar5, to return and post.
Shouldn’t Beavis’ son be driving a HUMVEE in Iraq?
Is his son bald? What is he, 35? Why can’t he buy his own damn car? G’damn slackers!
At least Chris Hill, while complimenting Korean cars, didn’t make a point of criticizing Chinese and Japanese cuisine in the process. Oops, I meant to say American and Japanese cars.
In related news, Hugh announced to the Korean media that he decided to buy Korean-made “E-mart” toilet paper last week. The one with the little flowers. Hugh reported himself as “very satisfied” with the buttwipe, and that “Korean buttwipe gives good performance and people should buy Korean buttwipe. It is quite soft, and brought a smile to my face as I dragged it up my arse.” Reported by the Chosun Ilbo, Hugh’s choice of Korean buttwipe has jumped his reputation in the minds of 48 million and dropped it among 15. ”
People around you are reportedly saying “This is his way of showing his love for Korea!”
> how crappy Hyundai cars are
I’m another who must disagree. The forest-green Accent i bought new in 1995 never broke down or gave me any serious trouble once, looks like hell now but still performs excellently — and i use my cars HARD, far more than most i think, scooting way up narrow little dirt-roads in the deep mountains, stuff ya really should use a jeep/SUV for, but my Accent gets me to the temple.
Nothing wrong with Chris Hill indulging in a little public diplomacy; couldn’t hurt the American positions…
I’d also have to disagree with the idea that Hyundai cars are ‘crappy’… Hyundai’s come a long way in shedding the crappiness image in the past few years - much like several brands of Japanese cars did not too long ago. So much so that several Hyundai car models are ranked quite highly in various consumer surveys.
I love my ‘06 Elantra… Not necessarily enough to give free advertising to Hyundai, but then again, I’m not a professional diplomat, so I’m not used to prodigiously and voraciously kissing ass.
Don’t bogart that joint, Wedge.
Please pass the Testor’s.
On the contrary; it’s just taken as another sign of Gulliver’s fecklessness by the hive.
Sure thing. You want the red tube or the green tube?
Red tube. Always choose the red tube.
Both Hills are ideal customers too. Hook ‘em up, 이 덕화.
Both Hills are ideal 하이 모customers too. Hook ‘em up, 이 덕화.
(to fix buggered tag)
Sanshinseon (#28): Given the average age and/or condition of cars in Korea, you must be quite the sight, zipping about town and country in your beat-up, ‘95 Accent.
Mr.Hill’s son is Billy Corgan?
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[...] enough to make you wonder how America’s finest diplomats would make out at the car dealership. Sure, you may say, Hyundais have gotten better. But what if I told you he drove onto the lot [...]