A bulletproof version of the Hyundai Equus sedan will become the main limousine for visiting foreign heads of state. The Foreign Ministry said Wednesday it will buy a domestic bulletproof limousine to serve visiting state leaders and high-ranking officials ahead of the 2012 Seoul nuclear security summit.
The Foreign Ministry will start using the car in November.
In 2009, Hyundai Motor donated three bulletproof Equuses to the Presidential Security Service for foreign VIP guests. But this is the first time a domestically made bulletproof sedan has been chosen for foreign heads of state.
The ministry has three foreign-made bulletproof cars -- two Cadillacs and one Mercedes -- for visiting heads of state but decided to buy an Equus to replace one of the Cadillacs when its lifespan expires.
"We decided to buy the Equus because we feel a domestic brand car should be used to drive visiting heads of state, given the country's growing standing in the international community," a ministry official said Wednesday. "We also want to use it so foreign leaders can discover the excellent quality of Korean cars."
The car was remodeled and reinforced in Germany and reportedly cost W700 million (US$1=W1,071).
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