![K-pop fans forced Hyundai to withdraw from agreement with Indonesian aluminium supplier 01]()
Rather than just screaming the names of their favourite boy bands or dancing to the gyrating rhythm of their girl idols, modern K-pop fans have declared their love for the music beyond just concert tickets and merchandise.
Around 11,000 fans from around the world signed a petition on climate activist site, Kpop4Planet calling for Hyundai to withdraw from an agreement with PT Adaro Minerals Indonesia Tbk. A non-binding memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between the Korean carmaker and a unit of Indonesia’s second-largest coal miner in 2022.
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![K-pop fans forced Hyundai to withdraw from agreement with Indonesian aluminium supplier 01]()
Among the spokespeople for Hyundai are the popular Korean boy band BTS whose fans are known as ARMYs. Indonesian BTS ARMYs are not happy that their favourite artists are associated with an environmentally friendly brand with ties to the coal industry and created an awareness campaign.
The movement dubbed “Hyundai, Drop Coal” received some traction from the Indonesian media with photos of activists holding signs in front of Hyundai EV chargers and dancing to their K-pop idols uploaded on social media.
![K-pop fans forced Hyundai to withdraw from agreement with Indonesian aluminium supplier 02]()
That attention also reached Hyundai which recently stated that the Korean carmaker ended its MoU with Adaro at the end of 2023. Hyundai added that the companies had decided to explore other opportunities independently.
The MoU was signed between both parties to secure the right to purchase aluminium produced by Adaro’s subsidiary PT Kalimantan Aluminium Industry.
Also read: Hyundai signs MoU with Indo aluminium supplier for future automobile and EV production
![K-pop fans forced Hyundai to withdraw from agreement with Indonesian aluminium supplier 03]()
Hyundai stated then that it expected to procure the metal from the Indo company that meets its carbon neutralization policy amid growing demand for aluminium in the automotive industry. Smelting aluminium requires huge amounts of energy and when using coal produces vast amounts of carbon emissions.
Adaro has plans to build a hydropower plant that will power the third phase of its aluminium smelter project.
![K-pop fans forced Hyundai to withdraw from agreement with Indonesian aluminium supplier 04]()
Hyundai’s withdrawal from the agreement deal is acknowledged as a win for Kpop4Planet and will continue to monitor Hyundai’s sourcing of materials. “It is a victory for thousands of K-pop fans who genuinely care about the climate crisis, especially in Indonesia,” it stated.
Also read: After Ioniq 5, Indonesia now mulls CKD Hyundai Ioniq 6
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