Lotte and Nongshim Reconcile... Shin Chun-ho's Funeral Hall Sees Continuous Visits from Political and Business Circles (Comprehensive)

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Seung-jin] On the 28th, at the funeral hall of Seoul National University in Jongno-gu, Seoul, where the late Shin Chun-ho, founder of Nongshim, was laid to rest, a continuous line of condolences from political and business circles gathered to bid farewell to the deceased.

Shin Dong-won, Vice Chairman of Nongshim; Shin Dong-yoon, Vice Chairman of Yulchon Chemical; Shin Dong-ik, Vice Chairman of Megamart; and Shin Hyun-joo, Vice Chairman of Nongshim Planning, the children of the deceased, were registered as chief mourners and stayed at the funeral hall. The deceased’s second daughter, Shin Yoon-kyung, and her husband, Seo Kyung-bae, Chairman of Amorepacific, also welcomed the mourners together.

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At the funeral hall that day, condolences from the extended Lotte family continued following the previous day. After former Lotte Holdings Vice Chairman Hwang Kak-kyu visited the funeral hall the day before, Lotte Holdings Vice Chairman Song Yong-deok visited around 10:30 a.m. that day. Vice Chairman Song appeared to represent Lotte on behalf of Shin Dong-bin, Chairman of Lotte Group and the deceased’s nephew.

Chairman Shin Dong-bin is currently staying in Japan and is unable to attend due to self-quarantine procedures related to COVID-19. He expressed his condolences with a wreath the day before, which was placed closest to the deceased’s portrait, drawing attention. Inside the funeral hall, only wreaths from Nongshim and family members including Chairman Shin Dong-bin were arranged.

At around 4:15 p.m. the previous day, Shin Young-ja, former director of the Lotte Welfare Foundation, visited the funeral hall to console the bereaved family. Shin Young-ja is the eldest daughter of the late Shin Kyuk-ho, Honorary Chairman of Lotte Group. Shin Dong-joo, Chairman of SDJ Corporation, who is known to be staying in Japan, sent a wreath in lieu of a visit.

When the late Shin Kyuk-ho passed away in January last year, attention was focused on whether his younger brother, Shin Chun-ho, would attend the funeral. Due to health reasons, he ultimately did not appear at his brother’s funeral. Instead, his eldest son, Shin Dong-won, paid respects.

Shin Chun-ho had a conflict with his older brother Shin Kyuk-ho over the ramen business in 1965 and established the ramen company Lotte Industrial, becoming independent. Later, when Shin Kyuk-ho prohibited the use of the Lotte name, Shin Chun-ho changed the company name to Nongshim in 1978 and severed ties with Lotte.

For half a century thereafter, the two brothers maintained their grudge and never reconciled during their lifetimes. However, with Chairman Shin Dong-bin’s wreath placed inside the deceased’s funeral hall and continued condolences from former director Shin and others, a mood of reconciliation has been fostered.

Shin Dong-won, Vice Chairman of Nongshim, along with bereaved family members, are moving on the afternoon of the 28th to attend the encoffining ceremony at the funeral hall of Seoul National University Hospital in Jongno-gu, Seoul, where the late Shin Chun-ho, founder of Nongshim, is lying in state.

Condolence Line from Political and Business Circles... Jo Hun-hyun and Yoon Hyung-joo Also Pay Tribute

In the afternoon, visits from business leaders continued. Around 1:20 p.m., Chung Mong-gyu, Chairman of HDC, visited the funeral hall, and at 3:10 p.m., Park Jung-won, Chairman of Doosan Group, paid respects. Afterwards, Park Ji-won, Chairman of Doosan Heavy Industries, and Lee Woong-ryul, former Chairman of Kolon Group, visited the funeral hall to mourn the deceased. Kim Kang-lip, Commissioner of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, also offered condolences and comforted the bereaved family.

Lee Jae-yong, Vice Chairman of Samsung Electronics, who is currently detained, sent a wreath to express his condolences. The wreath, inscribed in Chinese characters with ‘Condolences Samsung Lee Jae-yong,’ was placed right in front of the funeral hall entrance.

Yoon Hyung-joo, the composer of the advertising music for the nationally beloved snack ‘Saewookkang,’ also visited the funeral hall. The advertising jingle, familiar with lyrics such as ‘My hand goes, my hand goes, to Saewookkang,’ was once wildly popular.

Jo Hun-hyun, a 9-dan Go player, visited the funeral hall at 9:20 a.m., before the official condolence hours. Jo is known to have had a connection with Chairman Shin through events such as the Nongshim Cup, Baeksansu Cup, and the Korea-China-Japan Senior Go Championship. Chairman Shin was famous as a Go enthusiast.

The day before, Park Chan-ho, special advisor to the San Diego Padres and known as the ‘Korean Express,’ sent a wreath. Park is known to have a close relationship with Vice Chairman Shin Dong-won. When Park was active as a player for the LA Dodgers, he also ran advertisements to support him.

Meanwhile, Chairman Shin passed away at 3:38 a.m. on the 27th due to an illness. The funeral will be held as a company funeral of the Nongshim Group for four days, with the cremation scheduled for 5 a.m. on the 30th. The burial site is the family cemetery in Miryang, Gyeongnam.

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