First Korean Business Leader Invited to Trump's Inauguration... What Is the Connection of 'America Expert' Chairman Ryu Jin?

First Invitation Revealed Among Domestic Business Leaders
Attendance Under Review
Representative 'America Expert'... Deep Ties with Bush Family and Others

Ryu Jin, Chairman of the Korea Economic Association (Chairman of Pungsan Group), was invited to the inauguration ceremony of President-elect Donald Trump of the United States, scheduled for January 20 next year, the Korea Economic Association announced on the 23rd.

Ryu Jin, Chairman of the Korea Economic Association, and Evan Greenberg, Chairman of the US-Korea Business Council, are shaking hands at the 'Networking Reception hosted by the US-Korea Business Council' held on November 20 at the FKI Tower in Yeouido, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News.

Ryu is the first among domestic business leaders to reveal that he has been invited to the inauguration ceremony. However, it is known that Chairman Ryu has not yet confirmed his attendance and is still considering it.

Earlier, it was reported that Chung Yong-jin, Chairman of Shinsegae Group, stayed at the Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida, the residence of President-elect Donald Trump, from the 16th, upon invitation by Donald Trump Jr., the son of President-elect Trump, drawing attention to domestic business figures invited to President Trump's inauguration ceremony.

Chairman Ryu was considered one of the most likely attendees at the inauguration. Known as a prominent "America expert" among domestic figures, Ryu has long built relationships with business and political circles in the United States. In particular, he maintains a close relationship with the family of former U.S. President Bush. In 2018, he attended the funeral of Barbara Bush. Based on this, he has extensive connections with American politicians. It is also reported that he is personally close to associates of President-elect Trump. On the 10th and 11th, he led Korean companies to attend the 3rd Korea-U.S. Business Conference held in Washington D.C., where he communicated closely with local U.S. figures.