Mr Yea (Inset) has nearly 30 years’ experience of the automotive industry. He spent his early years at Hyundai Motors Corporation and later Hyundai Motors America. He then joined Kia Motors Corporation in 1999 and has subsequently held a number of senior executive positions, with a special focus on the development of Marketing Strategy and Brand Management.

In October 2010, Mr Yea was appointed president of Kia in the Middle East and Africa region, based in Dubai, and has overseen significant growth in these markets over the past year. This position has been assumed by M. Kim as of 14 November.