Seoul: HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. announced on Monday its decision to withdraw a defamation lawsuit against employees of its rival, HD Hanwha Ocean Co., emphasizing the necessity for collaboration among domestic shipbuilders. "We have made the decision (to drop the lawsuit) in the spirit of broad cooperation to contribute to the development of the domestic shipbuilding industry," stated HD Hyundai Heavy in an official statement.According to Yonhap News Agency, HD Hyundai initially filed the lawsuit in May after Hanwha Ocean employees alleged at a press conference that senior officials from HD Hyundai might have been involved in leaking military secrets related to the Korea Destroyer Next Generation project. The withdrawal of the lawsuit by HD Hyundai appears to be a reciprocal action following Hanwha Ocean's decision last week to retract its own complaint against HD Hyundai.Industry insiders have observed that this easing of tensions between the competing shipbuilders comes after a recent meeting bet ween Hanwha Group Vice Chairman Kim Dong-kwan and Chung Ki-sun, vice chairman of HD Hyundai. This meeting took place amid growing calls within the shipbuilding sector to foster unity in response to global market uncertainties.
- October 12, 2026
