President Moon: "The Role of the 4 Major Groups Was Crucial in Overcoming the COVID Crisis and Achieving Summit Outcomes" (Comprehensive)

After Listening to Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong's Pardon Proposal, "I Understand the Difficulties"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] President Moon Jae-in invited the heads of the four major conglomerates to the Blue House for lunch and praised them, saying, "The role of the four major groups was significant in overcoming the COVID-19 crisis and achieving abundant results from the Korea-US summit." SK Chairman Chey Tae-won responded, "The outcome of the Korea-US summit was the best ever." The attendees also requested a pardon for Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong, to which President Moon replied, "I understand the difficulties."

Blue House spokesperson Park Kyung-mi stated in a briefing on the 2nd, "This lunch was to convey President Moon's gratitude to business leaders who played an active role, such as announcing large-scale investment plans on the occasion of the Korea-US summit."

In his opening remarks, President Moon said, "The role of the four major groups was significant in the rapid recovery and leap forward of our economy from the COVID-19 crisis," and evaluated, "The achievements of the Korea-US summit were more abundant than ever."

He also expressed his gratitude, saying, "Until now, the relationship with the United States was mutually beneficial, but now it has become a partnership that helps the global supply chain in advanced fields such as semiconductors, batteries, electric vehicles, and bio, and the contribution of the four major groups was significant in that process." He also declared that the carbon neutrality goal would be pursued together with the four major groups.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

In response, the four representatives also expressed their gratitude. Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Kim Ki-nam said, "I feel proud of the Korea-US summit," and added, "Samsung has been considering a foundry plant in the United States for a long time, and this visit to the US has greatly strengthened Samsung's cooperation with the US."

He continued, "There are concerns that building a factory in the US might take away jobs from abroad, but since the site for the second Pyeongtaek plant will be found domestically, it will create jobs."

Regarding this, President Moon emphasized, "If investment is made in the US, our small and medium-sized enterprises and partner companies can enter together or be induced to export, thereby contributing to domestic job creation."

Hyundai Motor Chairman Chung Eui-sun said, "We will work together to achieve the government's goals of recovery, inclusion, and leap," and added, "Carbon neutrality is a duty of the present generation to future generations."

Chairman Chey responded, "I think the results of the Korea-US summit were the best ever," and said, "I stayed in Washington to hear more local reactions, and I heard that the Biden administration is grateful because Korean investment is appropriately made in the US, which is seeking economic revitalization."

LG Chairman Koo Kwang-mo said, "It is the third year since I took office as chairman, and unpredictable crises such as Japan's export restrictions and US-China trade conflicts have come, but I am grateful that the government listened to the opinions of companies and responded," and added, "This visit to the US has created conditions to operate more stably in the US."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

At the conversation, President Moon praised the companies' proactive investments. He said, "Our country has proactively responded to changes by increasing investment in system semiconductors, leading the production of hydrogen and electric vehicles, and actively investing in batteries. Without the companies' forward-looking decisions, today would not be possible. The government also played a role, but companies played a major role."

He also emphasized that while the government is working to nurture talent in new industries such as semiconductors, it is desirable for companies to lead and the government to support, rather than going through universities.

The lunch table featured crab cakes, which were the menu at the Korea-US summit, served with wheat pancakes, jujube chestnut liquor, Korean beef ribs, grilled croaker with soy sauce and warm vegetables, and Hongbok chicken onban. President Moon said, "The presidential car is also a hydrogen car, and the official car is also a hydrogen car, so I am acting as a hydrogen car ambassador," which elicited laughter and created a warm atmosphere.

After the lunch meeting, the Blue House presented the four major group representatives who attended the event with photos previously taken with President Moon, and presented Chairman Chung with the license plate attached to the hydrogen car at the P4G Seoul Summit as a commemorative gift.

Meanwhile, at this event, after listening to the request regarding Vice Chairman Lee's pardon, President Moon replied, "I understand the difficulties." According to Blue House officials, President Moon said, "Many people among the public sympathize as well," and "The current economic situation is unfolding differently from before, and I am well aware that bold roles are required of companies."

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