Chairman Kwon Oh-gap of HD Hyundai Meets with Foreign Workers (Photo courtesy of HD Hyundai)
ULSAN, South Korea, March 16 (Korea Bizwire) – HD Hyundai Heavy Industries has launched the shipbuilding industry’s first proprietary Korean language proficiency test for foreign workers, aiming to improve workplace communication and safety.
On Sunday, the company administered the HD TOPIC (Test of Korean for Practical Industrial Communication) at its Ulsan headquarters, evaluating approximately 500 foreign employees from both subcontractor and in-house teams.
Unlike existing language tests that focus on daily communication, HD TOPIC assesses practical Korean skills essential for shipyard operations.
Developed in collaboration with the University of Ulsan and other partners, the test was first introduced in September 2024 and piloted in December at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries’ Ulsan shipyard. This latest round marks its second official implementation.
The exam evaluates reading, speaking, and listening skills, categorizing test-takers into five proficiency levels—S, A, B, C, and D.
To ensure accessibility, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries will conduct the test monthly on weekends and offer additional on-demand assessments to accommodate workers’ schedules.
The University of Ulsan, a local institution, developed the test in response to growing concerns over workplace safety and productivity caused by communication barriers among foreign workers in the shipbuilding sector. The university announced in December 2024 that it collaborated with HD Hyundai Heavy Industries to create this assessment system.
The test focuses on essential safety and health-related Korean language skills for shipyard operations. Foreign workers are provided with structured training programs at basic, intermediate, and advanced levels.
A foreign worker taking the Korean language proficiency test at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (Image courtesy of Ulsan University)
Beyond the shipbuilding industry, Ulsan University plans to use test results to develop educational materials for foreign workers and their families at other regional universities. Additionally, it is working on a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) to expand access to Korean language education for foreign residents in South Korea.
HD Hyundai Heavy Industries aims to leverage test results to enhance efficiency and safety by identifying and addressing language barriers among foreign employees.
To encourage participation, the company will provide incentives:
- Workers scoring A or higher will become eligible for managerial roles.
- Those earning at least a B will gain access to training for critical site positions, such as equipment operators and signalers.
“In an industry first, we have developed a customized test to help foreign employees work more safely and efficiently,” an HD Hyundai Heavy Industries representative said. “We will continue to support global talent so they can maximize their potential in the workplace.”
With this initiative now in full swing, the company is setting a new industry standard for integrating foreign workers into South Korea’s shipbuilding sector, reinforcing both productivity and workplace safety.
Ashley Song (ashley@koreabizwire.com)
