Prolonged Impeachment Crisis Affects Diplomacy
Behind-the-Scenes Efforts by Companies and Organizations for Inauguration and Pre-Dinner Events
"Attempts to Make Contact Have Been Difficult"
The impeachment aftermath of President Yoon Suk-yeol is affecting the private sector's diplomacy with the United States. With about a month left until President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration ceremony, there is growing interest in whether domestic business leaders will attend. However, it has been confirmed that no one from the top 10 conglomerates or business organizations has yet been invited. Coincidentally, South Korea was also in an impeachment crisis during Trump's inauguration in January 2017. At that time, some business leaders received invitations to the presidential inauguration, but this time even that has disappeared, according to evaluations.
According to the business community on the 23rd, major domestic companies and business organizations are conducting behind-the-scenes efforts to participate in various events scheduled around the U.S. presidential inauguration. A senior official from a domestic economic organization said, "We looked into attending the inauguration or pre-banquet events of President-elect Trump, but it was not easy," adding, "At this point, it seems difficult to attend the events."
On the 22nd (local time), Donald Trump, the President-elect of the United States, is making a speech at an event held in Phoenix, Arizona, USA. Photo by Yonhap News.
Major companies are also actively monitoring the situation through local government relations lines, but attendance has not been confirmed yet. This atmosphere is quite different from 2017, when the impeachment situation was similar. In January of that year, Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong and Hanwha Group Chairman Kim Seung-yeon were invited among domestic business leaders to Trump's inauguration.
However, Chairman Lee could not board the plane to the U.S. because the special prosecutor investigating him in the state affairs manipulation case did not lift the travel ban. Earlier in 2016, he was the only overseas businessperson invited to a meeting of company representatives hosted by then-President-elect Trump, but he could not attend due to ongoing prosecution. Chairman Kim did not attend the inauguration due to health reasons.
Two years later, in June 2019, Chairman Lee met with then-President Trump during his visit to South Korea. On that occasion, President Trump met with 20 business leaders including SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Eui-sun, Lotte Group Chairman Shin Dong-bin, CJ Chairman Sohn Kyung-shik, and SPC Group Chairman Hur Young-in.
Jung Yong-jin, chairman of Shinsegae Group, who met with President-elect Donald Trump in the United States, is returning home through Incheon International Airport Terminal 2 on the 22nd. Photo by Yonhap News
The figure attracting attention regarding attendance at President-elect Trump's inauguration next month is Shinsegae Group Chairman Chung Yong-jin. Chairman Chung visited the U.S. for six days starting on the 16th and met with President-elect Trump. Upon returning on the 22nd, he said, "I have not been specially contacted about the inauguration," but added, "If a government delegation is formed and I am asked to participate, I am willing to do so." He is the first domestic businessperson to publicly disclose meeting President-elect Trump after last month's U.S. election.
Other companies are also keeping quiet about specific attendance plans. Chairman Kim has not yet received an invitation, and even if he does, his attendance is uncertain. Chairman Chung also stated that he has no plans to attend the inauguration next month. Chairman Shin, who has close ties with the Trump administration, has also not received an official invitation yet. In May 2019, Chairman Shin was the first domestic conglomerate leader to meet with then-President Trump in the White House Oval Office. The meeting was a gesture of thanks for Lotte Chemical's $3.1 billion investment to establish a petrochemical plant in Louisiana, USA. Lotte stated that there was "no official invitation" regarding President-elect Trump's inauguration.
Ryu Jin, Chairman of the Korea Economic Association, and Evan Greenberg, Chairman of the Korea-US Business Council, are shaking hands at the "Korea-US Business Council Hosted Networking Reception" held on the 20th at the FKI Tower in Yeouido, Seoul. Photo by Korea Economic Association, Yonhap News.
In business organizations, Ryu Jin, chairman of the Korea Economic Association and the Korean co-chair of the Korea-U.S. Business Council, a bilateral private exchange organization, is also considered a possible attendee. The Korea Economic Association has played a significant role along with the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry in organizing economic delegations during summit diplomacy periods. However, the Korea Economic Association said, "We have not yet received an invitation from President-elect Trump's side." Sohn Kyung-shik, chairman of the Korea Employers Federation, has also not been invited yet. A business insider said, "Since the official inauguration ceremony lasts several hours outdoors, it may be difficult for elderly people to attend."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
