Memorial Procession for Late Gu Ja-hong, Founding Chairman of LS... Gu Kwang-mo: "A Caring and Warm Person"

LS, GS, LX and other LG affiliates gather in one place to pay tribute to the deceased
SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won and 9-dan Lee Sedol also offer condolences

Gu Ja-hong, the founding chairman of LS Group, passed away on the 11th due to an illness. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Hyeyoung] On the third day of the funeral at Seoul Asan Medical Center for the late Koo Ja-hong, the founding chairman of LS Group (Chairman of LS Nikko Copper Inc.), a procession of condolences from political and business circles continued on the 13th.

To honor the late chairman, who served as the first chairman after LS Group separated from LG Group, figures from the broader LG family, including LG Group, LS Group, GS Group, and LX Group, gathered in one place to pay their respects.

Koo Kwang-mo, chairman of LG Group, visited the funeral hall the morning before the official condolences began. Chairman Koo is the grandson of the late Koo Ja-kyung, honorary chairman of LG Group and cousin of the deceased.

After offering his condolences, Chairman Koo expressed, "He was a very kind and warm person. It is very regrettable that he passed away so soon; I wish he had lived longer to give us more guidance."

On the same day, Kwon Bong-seok, vice chairman of LG Group, said, "It is sad and regrettable that a senior figure in the business community has passed away."

Executives from major LG Group affiliates, including Cho Ju-wan, president of LG Electronics, and Kwon Young-soo, vice chairman of LG Energy Solution, also visited the funeral hall to pay tribute to the late chairman.

Koo Kwang-mo, Chairman of LG Group

Executives from LS Group, which the late chairman established as its founding chairman, also visited the funeral hall.

Koo Ja-yeol, former chairman of LS Group (chairman of the Korea International Trade Association) and cousin younger brother who succeeded the late chairman, and Koo Ja-eun, the third chairman of LS Group, visited the funeral hall the day before to console the bereaved family.

The late chairman’s younger brother, Koo Ja-cheol, chairman of Yesco Holdings, and nephew Koo Bon-hyuk, president of Yesco Holdings, along with relatives and key executives from LS Group, were also present.

From GS Group, part of the broader LG family, Huh Tae-soo, chairman of GS, Huh Dong-soo, honorary chairman of GS Caltex, and Huh Yoon-hong, president of GS Engineering & Construction, attended.

Koo Bon-jun, chairman of LX Group; Koo Bon-neung, chairman of Heesung Group; Koo Bon-sang, chairman of LIG; Koo Bon-sik, chairman of LT Group; and Koo Ji-eun, vice chairman of Ourhome, among other members of the broader LG family, also visited the funeral hall to honor the late chairman.

Additionally, visits continued from political and business figures such as Chey Tae-won, chairman of SK Group (chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry), Yoo Young-min, chief of the Presidential Secretariat, and Moon Seung-wook, minister of Trade, Industry and Energy.

At the funeral hall of the late chairman, who was a certified amateur 6-dan Go player and a master of Go in the business community, the presence of Lee Sedol, 9-dan professional Go player who had a connection through Go during the late chairman’s lifetime, was also noted.

Born in 1946 in Jinju, Gyeongnam, the late chairman was the eldest son of the late Koo Tae-hoe, honorary chairman and third brother of the late Koo In-hoe, founder of LG Group. He passed away on the 11th due to an illness.

After LS Group separated from LG Group in 2003, he served as the founding chairman of LS Group for nine years from 2004 to 2012. He is credited with fostering eco-friendly businesses such as smart grids, renewable energy, core parts for electric vehicles, and overseas resource development as the next-generation core businesses of LS Group.

The funeral will be held over five days, with the cremation scheduled for 9 a.m. on the 15th.