[By NBC-1TV H. J Yook]GM Korea hosted its 2012 Supplier Business Meeting today in Incheon to share its future plans and express appreciation for its suppliers’ contributions in 2011.

The meeting was attended by about 450 people, including GM Vice President of Global Purchasing and Supply Chain (GPSC) Robert E Socia, GM International Operations Vice President of GPSC Johnny Saldanha, GM Korea executives, Korean Auto Industries Cooperation Association Chairman Dal-suk Shin, and GM Korea Supplier Association Chairman and E-won Solutech CEO Bum-young Choi.

“Korean suppliers have been a key factor in Chevrolet’s record global sales and GM Korea’s outstanding achievements,” said Socia. “We look forward to strengthening our partnership and ensuring industry-best quality and mutual growth.”

According to Saldanha, who provided a business update and highlighted new market opportunities: “GM looks forward to working with our outstanding Korean suppliers to take advantage of growing local demand.”

During today’s event, Choi and GM Korea Vice President of Vehicle Sales, Aftersales and Marketing Ankush Arora presented awards to the automaker’s best suppliers. They also discussed plans for expanding the opportunity for domestic suppliers to serve GM’s global operations.

Last year, 17 Korean suppliers were named GM Suppliers of the Year. They accounted for more than 20 percent of the 82 suppliers from around the globe that received the prestigious award. The number of Korean winners has tripled from five years earlier, when five Korean suppliers were honored.