President Moon Jae-in on Oct. 6 at Cheong Wa Dae removes the protective plastic inside of his Hyundai Casper, a mini SUV produced under the Gwangju job project.

By Kim Yeojin and Joung Haseung 

Photos = Cheong Wa Dae's official Facebook page

President Moon Jae-in on Oct. 6 received and test-drove Hyundai Motor's mini SUV Casper, the first vehicle produced under the nation's first regional "win-win" employment model known as the Gwangju job project.

Hyundai Motor manager Yeo Hwan-chae gave the president the keys to the vehicle at the entrance of Yeomin Hall 1 of Cheong Wa Dae. After being briefed on the mini SUV's structure and functions, the chief executive said that though a light car, the Casper looked reliable and the interior spacious. 

The vehicle the president bought has a modern trim and a price tag of KRW 15.9 million. 

President Moon took his car on a test drive within the Cheong Wa Dae compound with first lady Kim Jung-sook in the passenger seat, saying his ride was good. 

Launched as a "promising" project from the time of the 2012 presidential election, he said the Gwangju venture was possible through long and persistent talks among labor, management, the private sector and the government. The opening of a car factory in Korea for the first time in decades will help create many jobs and help the regional economy, he added.

Saying he was "deeply moved" by the car's release, the president said he heard that the Casper has set sales records, but hoped that all Koreans as well as Gwangju residents love it. 

He preordered a Casper online on Sept. 14 to support the project. 

The venture's win-win employment model aims to boost job creation through social compromise between labor and management by reducing wages and increasing the number of jobs.

Casper is produced on a consignment basis at the plant of Gwangju Global Motors, a joint venture between Hyundai Motor and Gwangju Metropolitan Government. 

President Moon Jae-in on Oct. 6 test-drives his Hyundai Casper SUV, a vehicle produced under the Gwangju job project, within the Cheong Wa Dae compound with first lady Kim Jung-sook at his side.