A Wreath from Nephew Chairman Shin Dong-bin at the Funeral Parlor... Will 50 Years of Resentment Between Nongshim and the Lotte Family Be Resolved?

Conflict in Father’s Generation Ramen Business
Reconciliation Mood Among Children’s Generation
Condolence Visits from the Lotte Family and Management

On the 27th, a condolence wreath from Shin Dong-bin, Chairman of Lotte Group, was placed in a corner of the funeral hall at Seoul National University Hospital in Jongno-gu, Seoul, where the late Shin Chun-ho, Chairman of Nongshim, was lying in state.

[Asia Economy Reporter Seungjin Lee] On the 28th, at the funeral hall of Seoul National University Hospital in Jongno-gu, Seoul, the condolence procession from the extended Lotte family continued for two consecutive days at the funeral of the late Shin Chun-ho, chairman of Nongshim. Although Nongshim and Lotte had conflicts for half a century, the family members sat together side by side to bid farewell to the deceased.

On the first day of Chairman Shin’s funeral on the 27th, the most noticeable item at the funeral hall was the floral wreath from his nephew, Shin Dong-bin, chairman of Lotte Group. Inside the funeral hall, only Nongshim’s mourning flag and family floral wreaths were arranged, but Shin Dong-bin’s wreath was placed right next to the deceased’s portrait. Shin Dong-bin, currently staying in Japan, was unable to attend the condolence due to self-quarantine procedures related to COVID-19.

In the afternoon, Shin Young-ja, former director of the Lotte Welfare Foundation, visited the funeral hall to pay respects. She has been a beloved figure and played the role of the eldest daughter of the Lotte family for a long time. She has been involved in management activities for over 40 years within Lotte Group affiliates. Shin Dong-joo, chairman of SDJ Corporation, who is known to be staying in Japan, expressed condolences with a floral wreath.

Following the condolence by Shin Dong-won, vice chairman of Nongshim, at the time of the passing of Chairman Shin Kyuk-ho in January last year, the Lotte Group owner family’s condolences seem to mark the end of the conflicts that have continued from the father’s generation.

Condolences from Lotte Group executives also continued. Following the condolence by Hwang Gak-gyu, former vice chairman of Lotte Holdings, on the first day of the funeral, Song Yong-duk, current vice chairman of Lotte Holdings, also visited the funeral hall. It is reported that Vice Chairman Song visited the funeral hall as a representative of Lotte on behalf of Chairman Shin Dong-bin to express condolences to the deceased and comfort the bereaved family. A floral wreath in the name of ‘All Lotte employees and executives’ also arrived and was placed on one side outside the funeral hall, drawing attention.

The conflict between Chairman Shin Chun-ho and his elder brother, Chairman Shin Kyuk-ho, dates back to 1965. At that time, after a conflict with Chairman Shin Kyuk-ho over the promotion of the ramen business, Shin Chun-ho established the ramen company Lotte Industrial and became independent. Later, when Chairman 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. Since then, the two brothers cut off contact and did not participate in family gatherings, maintaining bitterness for over half a century.

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