Visiting Korea During Korea-U.S. Trade Talks for Business Meetings
Arranged by Chairman Chong Yongjin, Only Business Meetings Scheduled
Top 10 Conglomerate Leaders Coordinating for a Gathering
Donald Trump Jr., the eldest son of U.S. President Donald Trump, will visit South Korea on April 30 and meet with Chong Yongjin, chairman of Shinsegae Group, as well as the heads of other major conglomerates ranked roughly within the top ten domestically. With ongoing trade negotiations between South Korea and the United States amid the so-called "tariff storm" originating from the U.S., there is heightened interest in how the U.S. will cooperate with Korean companies in the future.
According to business industry sources on April 25, Trump Jr. will visit Korea for a two-day, one-night trip and is scheduled to hold meetings with the heads or chairmen of major Korean companies on April 30.
This round of meetings is expected to be held in a one-on-one format, primarily focusing on listening to the perspectives of Korean business leaders. Trump Jr. reportedly decided to visit Korea at the request of Chairman Chong, who asked him to meet directly with Korean business figures. Aside from these meetings with Korean business leaders, Trump Jr. is not known to have any other appointments scheduled. Chairman Chong, who arranged the meetings, is expected to accompany Trump Jr. for nearly all of his activities in Korea.
There are no plans for Trump Jr. to meet with political or government figures. In order for Trump Jr. to meet with such figures in a foreign country, prior consultation with the White House would be required, but no such procedures have taken place, nor are there any plans for such consultations in the future.
Chong Yongjin, chairman of Shinsegae Group, and his wife Han Jihui are meeting with Donald Trump Jr. in Washington DC, USA, on January 18 (local time). Provided by Shinsegae Group
The business community is focused on who will attend the meeting with Trump Jr. At present, it is expected to include the "top 10 groups plus alpha," meaning more than ten conglomerate leaders are likely to participate. In particular, leaders from industries with significant business interests in the U.S.?such as semiconductors, automobiles, energy, electronics, steel, and defense?are reportedly showing interest in engaging with Trump Jr.
Within the business world, there is speculation that Lee Jae-yong, chairman of Samsung Electronics; Chey Tae-won, chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry and chairman of SK Group; Chung Euisun, chairman of Hyundai Motor Group; and Koo Kwang-mo, chairman of LG Group, are highly likely to attend. Other names being mentioned include Kim Dong-kwan, vice chairman of Hanwha Group; Shin Dong-bin, chairman of Lotte Group; Huh Tae-soo, chairman of GS Group; and Jang In-hwa, chairman of POSCO Group.
Representatives from Samsung and SK have stated that the chairmen's schedules have not yet been confirmed. Companies such as POSCO, Hyundai Steel, HD Hyundai, and Hanwha have also indicated that they have not yet received any official information, but are preparing to provide support once the schedules are finalized.
In addition, Lee Hae-jin, founder of Naver, who is seeking cooperation with the U.S. in the artificial intelligence (AI) sector, is reportedly coordinating a meeting. Lee Jae-hyun, chairman of CJ Group, whose company has a high proportion of food exports to the U.S., is also highly likely to be included in the list of attendees.
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