Jung Yong-jin, Who Had Dinner with Trump: "He Asked Me Many Things... I Can't Disclose the Details"

Jung Yong-jin, chairman of Shinsegae Group, announced on the 21st (local time) that he met and had a conversation with Donald Trump, the president-elect of the United States.

Jung Yong-jin, Chairman of Shinsegae, met with President-elect Donald Trump. Photo by Yonhap News

Chairman Jung said as he was returning home through Atlanta International Airport in the U.S. on the same day, "I met President-elect Trump. We talked for about 10 to 15 minutes," adding, "I had a meal with President-elect Trump, and we had in-depth conversations on various topics separately." However, Chairman Jung said, "I cannot disclose the contents of the conversation with President-elect Trump."

Since President-elect Trump won the U.S. presidential election in November, Chairman Jung is the first among Korean politicians, diplomats, and businesspeople to publicly reveal that he met and talked directly with President-elect Trump.

Chairman Jung stayed at Mar-a-Lago Resort in Palm Beach, Florida, the residence of President-elect Trump, from the 16th until the morning of the 21st.

When asked if President-elect Trump made any remarks related to Korea, he said, "There was nothing particularly mentioned." He added, "(President-elect Trump) asked me various things, but it is difficult to talk about the specific details."

When asked about his stance on expectations from the Korean business community to serve as a bridge with President-elect Trump's side, he took a cautious position, saying, "What qualification do I have to serve as a bridge?" Chairman Jung also said there was no message from the Korean government that he was asked to deliver to President-elect Trump before his stay at Mar-a-Lago.

In addition, Chairman Jung said he met many people introduced by President-elect Trump's eldest son, Trump Jr. His stay at Mar-a-Lago was arranged by an invitation from Trump Jr., and although it was initially scheduled for 3 nights and 4 days, the stay was extended to 5 nights and 6 days.

Chairman Jung explained, "As a businessman, I discussed various business plans with Trump Jr. Since we share the same religion, we also talked about religious matters," adding, "Trump Jr. introduced many people this time. I talked about business with them."

When asked if any close aides or members of President-elect Trump's campaign team were among the people he met this time, he replied, "Yes," but avoided specifics, saying, "It is difficult to say who exactly."

Chairman Jung also did not disclose whether he received an official invitation to the inauguration ceremony of President-elect Trump, the 47th president, scheduled for January 20 next year. He said, "If the Korean government forms a delegation (to attend the inauguration), I am ready and willing to go as a member of that group."