Condolences from Business and Political Figures Even on Holidays
Jeong Mong-jun, Chairman of the Asan Foundation (center), and his son Jeong Gi-seon, Vice Chairman of HD Hyundai, visited the funeral hall of Cho Seok-rae, Honorary Chairman of the Hyosung Group, set up at Severance Hospital in Mapo-gu, Seoul, on the 31st. Photo by Joint Press Corps
Jung Mong-joon, Chairman of the Asan Foundation, and Jung Ki-sun, Vice Chairman of HD Hyundai, visited the funeral hall on the 31st to pay their respects to the deceased and console the bereaved family.
After offering his condolences, Chairman Jung Mong-joon told reporters, "I occasionally met the deceased at gatherings and always remember him as a positive and kind person," adding, "My father (Chung Ju-yung, founder of Hyundai Group) also served as chairman of the Federation of Korean Industries (FKI) for a long time, and the deceased was also a senior business leader who served as FKI chairman."
Vice Chairman Jung Ki-sun said, "He was a person greatly respected by everyone in the business community," and added, "I told the bereaved family that I hope he has gone to a peaceful and better place." He is also a university junior of Cho Hyun-sang, CEO of Hyosung, who is part of the bereaved family.
National Assembly Speaker Kim Jin-pyo also visited the funeral hall that morning. Speaker Kim recalled, "When I served as Deputy Prime Minister for the Economy under the Roh Moo-hyun administration, Chairman Cho was the chairman of the Korea-U.S. Business Council. At that time, our economy was very difficult, but he had the capability to communicate well with the business communities of the U.S. and Japan, and he helped a lot."
Son Gil-seung, Honorary Chairman of SK Telecom, also visited the funeral hall. When asked about his relationship with the deceased, Honorary Chairman Son said, "He was a person well-versed in international relations across Korea, the U.S., and Japan, as well as being knowledgeable about technology, serving as a role model," and added, "It is regrettable that he is no longer with us, especially at a time when perceptions of the business community are sluggish."
Business figures such as Lee Kyu-ho, Vice Chairman of Kolon, and Jang Jae-hoon, President of Hyundai Motor Company, along with executives and employees of Hyosung Group, also visited the funeral hall to honor the achievements the deceased left during his lifetime.
Chairman Cho, who had been hospitalized at Seoul National University Hospital due to deteriorating health, passed away on the 29th at 6:38 p.m. at the age of 89. The funeral will be held over five days, with the farewell ceremony scheduled for the 2nd of next month. Former Prime Minister Lee Hong-gu is serving as the honorary funeral chairman, and Lee Sang-woon, CEO of Hyosung, is serving as the funeral chairman overseeing the proceedings.
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