Chairman Sohn Kyung-shik Highlights Connection with Biden... Expected to be a Key Figure in Private Diplomacy with the U.S.

Business circles find no connection despite extensive search for Biden's network
Chairman Sohn invited to White House as KCCI chairman during Obama administration
Met then-Vice President Biden to discuss Korea-US business cooperation
Chairman Sohn expected to lead private diplomacy using US network

[Asia Economy Reporter Su-yeon Woo] As South Korea's business community begins searching for connections related to U.S. President-elect Joe Biden, the deep relationship between Sohn Kyung-shik, Chairman of the Korea Employers Federation, and President-elect Biden is drawing attention. Sohn, who has long served as a bridge between the South Korean and U.S. economies as a senior figure in the business world, is expected to play a central role in private diplomacy with the United States.

According to the business community on the 10th, Sohn sent a congratulatory message through the Korean Embassy in the U.S. on the 9th, following the confirmation of Biden's election as U.S. president. It is unusual for a private association chairman to send a congratulatory message directly to a U.S. president-elect through official channels. This has led to renewed interest in the past meetings between Sohn and Biden.

In 2013, Sohn attended a White House event hosted by the Barack Obama administration as part of a South Korea-U.S. economic delegation and met then-Vice President Biden for the first time. Biden, known for his affability, reportedly joked, "I am the vice president, but you are the chairman, so I envy you," creating a relaxed atmosphere. Sohn, who visited the White House as the chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, engaged in in-depth discussions with Vice President Biden and economic officials from the Obama administration on strengthening bilateral friendly cooperation from the business community's perspective.

Sohn Kyung-shik, Chairman of the Korea Employers Federation

The delegation included the late Lee Kun-hee, Chairman of Samsung, the late Koo Bon-moo, Chairman of LG Group, and Chung Mong-koo, Chairman of Hyundai Motor Group. Among the delegation members, the only major figure still active today is Huh Chang-soo, Chairman of the Federation of Korean Industries. The third and fourth-generation heirs who are currently at the forefront of management were then receiving training as second-in-commands and did not have the opportunity to meet President-elect Biden.

While the business community has been seeking comprehensive connections with President-elect Biden, very few have had direct contact with him. There is also a lack of networks connected through educational ties. The only notable exception is Chung Mong-joon, Chairman of the Asan Foundation, who is known to have met Biden twice at official events, having connections in both political and business circles.

Despite being 82 years old, Sohn remains actively engaged in his work, and expectations are rising that he can serve as a bridge between the South Korean and U.S. business communities in the Biden administration, building on his past ties with the Obama administration. Sohn is also reported to have met Biden more than twice during Biden's visit to South Korea at the end of 2013 through business meetings and informal gatherings.

Sohn, who has consistently emphasized private-sector diplomacy, is active in the Korea Society, a nonprofit organization promoting Korea-U.S. friendship. He also served as chairman of the Korea-U.S. Friendship Association and has maintained exchanges with senior U.S. military officials stationed in South Korea. In 2018, he was awarded the "Van Fleet Award" in recognition of his contributions to introducing Korean culture to the U.S. and facilitating communication between the two countries.

Meanwhile, the Korea Employers Federation, which had been planning events to promote external cooperation at the business community level, has temporarily postponed these due to the COVID-19 pandemic this year. Instead, it has shifted plans to hold meetings by inviting ambassadors from ASEAN, the EU, and China who are stationed in Korea. With the emergence of a new government in the U.S., the Federation is considering various ways to strengthen cooperation between the business communities of the two countries.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.