'Korea-China Business Dialogue' Scheduled in Beijing on April 4-5
Event Canceled During Schedule Coordination Process
Choi Tae-won, Chairman of SK Group and Chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), has canceled his scheduled visit to China earlier this month. The 1.5-track Korea-China business dialogue, involving both government and private sector participation, has also fallen through.
According to business circles on the 4th, Chairman Choi canceled his planned two-day visit to China, which was scheduled from the 4th to the 5th. It is reported that the event was canceled during the process of coordinating the schedules of key participants from both countries. A business official explained, "There is currently no plan to visit China," adding, "Since the date was initially undecided, it is neither a postponement nor a cancellation."
The originally planned event was the '5th Korea-China Business Dialogue' scheduled to be held in Beijing, China. Since 2018, KCCI has been conducting the Korea-China Business Dialogue, a 1.5-track dialogue platform, together with the China Center for International Economic Exchanges (CCIEE). The 1.5-track refers to a format involving both government and private sector participation.
Previously, Chairman Choi made extensive visits to Peru and Japan. In particular, on the 22nd and 23rd of last month, he visited Japan to attend the '2024 Tokyo Forum' hosted by the Choi Jong-hyun Academic Foundation and the University of Tokyo. Then, on the 25th, as Chairman of KCCI, he attended the '13th Korea-Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chairpersons' Meeting' in Osaka to discuss ways to strengthen private sector cooperation. Notably, the chambers of commerce of both countries issued a joint statement calling for expanding cooperation to resolve common economic and social issues. Earlier, on the 16th of last month, he attended the '2024 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO Summit' held at the National University Theater in Lima, Peru.
However, Chairman Choi's China visit is understood to be unrelated to the emergency martial law declared late on the night of the 3rd. A business official stated, "The cancellation of Chairman Choi's visit to China was decided prior to this and is unrelated to the national situation." President Yoon Suk-yeol declared emergency martial law on the 3rd, labeling the National Assembly as a 'pro-North anti-state force,' but lifted the martial law early on the 4th following the National Assembly's request after about six hours.
Meanwhile, SK Group is expected to carry out an executive reshuffle on the 5th. Inside and outside the business community, there are expectations that each affiliate will reduce the number of executives as part of organizational efficiency measures, leading to downsizing.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
