Hyundai Pakistan Tweet Row: India Summons Korean Envoy Expressing Displeasure, South Korea Regrets 'Offence'

MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said a "strong displeasure" was conveyed to Korea's ambassador on the "unacceptable social media post" by Hyundai Pakistan.

A photo taken on February 10, 2020 shows a general view of the entrance to the Hyundai Motor Asan Factory in Asan, south of Seoul | Photo: AFP

New Delhi: India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) summoned the ambassador of Korea on Monday, following a social media post by a Hyundai Pakistan dealer on the so-called 'Kashmir Solidarity Day'.

A "strong displeasure" was conveyed to Korea's ambassador on the "unacceptable social media post" by Hyundai Pakistan, MEA said.  

MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi in an official statement said: "It was highlighted that this matter concerned India’s territorial integrity on which there could be no compromise. We expected the Company to take appropriate action to properly address these issues."

READ | Hyundai India Reacts To Pak Dealer's Kashmir Tweet, Says ‘Zero Tolerance Policy'

Meanwhile, as per the MEA statement, the Foreign Minister of the Republic of Korea Chung Eui-yong called the External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar on Monday and conveyed his regret over the incident.

“The RoK (Republic of Korea) Foreign Minister also conveyed that they regretted the offence caused to the people and Government of India by the social media post,” MEA statement read. 

"India welcomes investments by foreign companies in various sectors. But, it is also expected that such companies or their affiliates will refrain from false and misleading comments on matters of sovereignty and territorial integrity," MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi's statement said.

A Hyundai Pakistan dealer with the handle @hyundaiPakistanOfficial posted a message on Twitter supporting 'Kashmir Solidarity Day', what is called a "struggle for freedom" by Pakistan's side.

Following the post, #BoycottHyundai started trending on the microblogging site Twitter after which Hyundai India issued a clarifying statement reiterating its commitment to the Indian market.