Trump Junior visits Korea…Plans relay meetings with heads of major domestic corporations

Trump Junior Visiting On 29th (Source: AP)

Donald Trump's oldest son, Trump Junior, will visit Korea on the 29th at the invitation of Yong-jin Chung, Chairman of Shinsegae Group. As the first visit since Trump President's second term began, this visit focuses on individual meetings with business figures, drawing attention to its outcome.

According to business circles, Trump Junior will arrive in the afternoon by private jet and will hold consecutive one-on-one meetings with heads of major domestic conglomerates over a 1-night, 2-day stay in a certain place in Seoul. The dialogue will mainly involve industries heavily linked with American businesses such as semiconductors, energy, automobiles, electronics, and defense, with an estimated participant number of around 20.

Among the heads of the top 10 groups, some are uncertain about attending due to schedule conflicts. Hyundai Motor Group Chairman, Chung Eui-sun, will not attend due to overseas schedules, and it's possible that Lotte Group's Shin Dong-bin might be replaced by his son, Shin Yoo-yeol, Vice President and Head of Future Growth at Lotte Holdings. It is reported that Jeong Ki-sun, Senior Vice Chairman of HD Hyundai, has plans to tour Ulsan Shipyard with the US Secretary of Navy, making scheduling difficult.

CJ Group Chairman Lee Jae-hyun, Doosan Group Chairman Park Jeong-won, LS Group Chairman Koo Ja-eun, Hanjin Group Chairman Cho Won-tae are mentioned as meeting participants, and Lee Hae-jin, the founder of Naver, which is expanding AI cooperation with the US, is also a possible attendee. Some mid-sized company chairmen are also reportedly arranging meetings.

Each meeting will last approximately an hour, focusing on hearing the opinions of the company heads. There are no plans for official contact with political figures during this visit. Normally, a foreign figure meeting with political figures requires prior consultation with the US Government, but such procedures were omitted for this visit.

Trump Junior, a key aide of President Trump, has recently recommended JD Vance Senate as a vice-presidential candidate. He is known for a close personal relationship based on religious bonds with Chairman Jeong, having also met President Trump during a visit to the US last year.

This visit, occurring as the trade environment with the US becomes complex, could potentially be used as a diplomatic communication channel for businesses through Trump Junior.