Shinsegae chairman meets Trump

Dec 23, 2024, 10:03 am

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Chung Yong-jin, chairman of retail conglomerate Shinsegae Group, poses for the press at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport after his meeting with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on Dec. 21, 2024./ Source: Yonhap

Washington correspondent Ha Man-joo

Chung Yong-jin, chairman of retail conglomerate Shinsegae Group, said he had a talk with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump. “I had a meal with President-elect Trump, and we had an in-depth conversation on various topics,” Chung said while waiting for his return flight home from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Saturday.

Chung said his chat with Trump lasted about 10 to 15 minutes, but declined to disclose what he had discussed with the incoming U.S. leader, stating that the president-elect did not mention anything specific regarding Korea.

Chung is the first South Korean known to officially hold a face-to-face meeting with Trump since his reelection last month.

On whether Chung will attend Trump’s inauguration ceremony at the U.S. Congress in Washington D.C. in January, the chairman said, “If the Korean government organizes a delegation, I will join.” However, he did not say whether he received an official invitation.

Chung had stayed at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort since Monday at the invitation of Donald Trump Jr., the eldest son of the president-elect, who has maintained a close friendship with the chairman due to their religious beliefs as Christians.

Chung mentioned discussing various business plans with Trump Jr. and noted that Trump Jr. had introduced him to some of his father’s aides.

This raises expectations that Chung would be able to serve as a bridge between the Korean business community and the incoming U.S. administration. However, Chung exercised caution regarding it.

#Shinsegae Group #Donald Trump