(April 9, 2018, Washington, D.C.) – Christopher Wenk has been named Vice President of Government Affairs of Kia Motors Corporation Washington Office, effective April 2, 2018. In this role, Mr. Wenk will oversee Kia’s U.S. federal and state government affairs program.

“We are pleased to have Christopher Wenk join the Kia Motors’ Washington Office,” said Dong Wook Kim, Senior Vice President, External Affairs Department, Kia Motors Corporation. “Christopher’s expertise in international trade policy will be an asset to Kia Motors and his recognized leadership will guide Kia as we navigate this complex environment.”

"Having grown up in Michigan, I have always felt a deep connection and appreciation for the automotive industry. I have the utmost respect and admiration for Kia’s mission, so I am thrilled to join Kia as Vice President, Government Affairs," said Mr. Wenk. “I am excited about working with the entire Kia team here in Washington. I look forward to working and collaborating with leadership at our U.S. headquarters in California, R&D and technical center in Michigan, manufacturing plant in Georgia as well as our global headquarters in Seoul, Korea. This is an exciting time in the auto industry, and I look forward to helping drive the conversation about critical issues like trade, safety, innovation and technology.”

Mr. Wenk comes to Kia Motors from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, where he served as the Executive Director of International Policy and Chief Trade Lobbyist. For more than 10 years, he led bipartisan efforts to promote the Chamber’s international trade and investment agenda with the administration, on Capitol Hill, and in the business community. Mr. Wenk played an important role in successful campaigns to win bipartisan congressional passage legislation to renew Trade Promotion Authority and trade agreements with Colombia, Panama, Peru, and South Korea. He played a key part in the Chamber’s efforts related to the work of the Geneva-based World Trade Organization, including negotiations to expand manufacturing and services trade and to promote trade facilitation.

Prior to working with the Chamber, Mr. Wenk directed international trade policy at the National Association of Manufacturers, advocating on behalf of its members with the administration and Congress. Mr. Wenk spent five years on Capitol Hill working for the House Small Business Committee and U.S. Representatives Steve Chabot (R-Ohio) and Dave Camp (R-Michigan).

Born and raised in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Mr. Wenk holds a Master of Arts in Political Management and Corporate Public Affairs & Government Relations from the George Washington University in Washington, D.C., and his Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and Spanish from Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. He and his wife, Elizabeth, live in Silver Spring, Maryland, with their three daughters and one son.

About Kia Motors Corporation

Kia Motors Corporation – a maker of world-class quality vehicles for the young-at-heart – was founded in 1944 and is Korea's oldest manufacturer of motor vehicles. Over 2.7 million Kia vehicles a year are produced at 14 manufacturing and assembly operations in five countries which are then sold and serviced through a network of distributors and dealers covering around 180 countries. Kia today has over 51,000 employees worldwide and annual revenues of about US$50 billion. It is the major sponsor of the Australian Open and an official automotive partner of FIFA – the governing body of the FIFA World Cup™. Kia Motors Corporation's brand slogan – "The Power to Surprise" – represents the company's global commitment to surprise the world by providing exciting and inspiring experiences that go beyond expectations.

For more information about Kia Motors and our products, please visit our Global Media Center at www.kianewscenter.com.