Why Did Chairman Chey Tae-won Cancel His CES 2023 Schedule?

Chairman Chey Tae-won of SK Group. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Seoyoon] SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won’s plan to attend the world’s largest electronics and IT exhibition, 'CES 2023,' was canceled due to a COVID-19 positive case among his close staff.

Chairman Chey, who had already arrived locally, was the only head of the four major domestic conglomerates scheduled to attend CES.

On the 5th (local time), Yoon Yong-cheol, head of communications at SK Group’s SUPEX Council, stated, "A secretary closely accompanying Chairman Chey showed high fever symptoms this morning and tested positive." He added, "Chairman Chey immediately canceled all external schedules and underwent a rapid antigen test. Although he tested negative, he decided to cancel his visit to the exhibition hall."

Yoon also said, "Chairman Chey canceled some pre-arranged meetings with external personnel and conducted others via video conference. He plans to handle tomorrow’s (6th) schedule in the same manner."

Chairman Chey was scheduled to visit several Korean company booths, including SK Group’s and Samsung Electronics’. However, his absence on-site sparked various speculations, including whether he had contracted COVID-19. In 2022, he also planned to attend CES but canceled the plan considering the spread of COVID-19 at the time. This marks the second consecutive year that Chairman Chey’s attendance at CES has been canceled due to COVID-19.

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