Yoon Conducts Multifaceted Diplomacy on Economic Security, Sales, and Public Sectors at Davos Forum

Lunch with domestic and international CEOs from the first schedule
'Korea Night' event for Busan Expo bid
Special speech to propose international cooperation and solidarity

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] President Yoon Suk-yeol will attend the World Economic Forum (WEF, Davos Forum) held in Davos, Switzerland this month. It has been eight years since a President of the Republic of Korea attended the Davos Forum.

Taking advantage of this forum, President Yoon plans to carry out various diplomatic schedules in the fields of economic security, sales, and public sectors, including efforts to attract investments from global companies, hosting the 2030 Busan Expo, and dialogues with scholars in science and technology.

Kim Sung-han, Director of the National Security Office, and Choi Sang-mok, Senior Secretary for Economic Affairs, held briefings sequentially on the afternoon of the 10th at the briefing room of the Yongsan Presidential Office to introduce President Yoon’s schedule at the Davos Forum.

President Yoon is set to begin his sales diplomacy from the first event of the Davos Forum on the 18th. First, a luncheon meeting with CEOs of major global companies both domestic and international is planned.

Senior Secretary Choi stated, "President Yoon will have lunch with key domestic and international CEOs attending the Davos Forum to discuss government and private sector cooperation plans to overcome complex crises and achieve sustainable growth, introduce market-driven economic policy directions, and promote investment cooperation in Korea."

Attendees at this event will include Lee Jae-yong, Chairman of Samsung Electronics; Chey Tae-won, Chairman of SK; Chung Eui-sun, Chairman of Hyundai Motor; Koo Kwang-mo, Chairman of LG; Shin Dong-bin, Chairman of Lotte; and Kim Dong-kwan, Vice Chairman of Hanwha. From overseas, CEOs of prominent global companies such as Intel, IBM, Qualcomm, and JP Morgan are expected to attend.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

At the second event, the "Korea Night," President Yoon will promote the "Busan Initiative," a customized international cooperation program aimed at supporting the bid for the 2030 Busan Expo, to influential figures gathered in Davos, while also showcasing Korean culture.

On the second day of the Davos Forum, the 19th, President Yoon will deliver a keynote speech on the stage, addressing the direction of international cooperation to overcome the global economic crisis. Director Kim explained, "He will present international cooperation and solidarity for strengthening supply chains, transitioning to clean energy, and establishing a digital order, and will impress upon the international community Korea’s leading role and commitment in these areas."

For the final schedule, President Yoon will visit the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH Zurich) to exchange views with scholars on quantum technology. ETH Zurich is one of Europe’s top three physics research institutions, having produced world-renowned scientists such as Albert Einstein.

Senior Secretary Choi introduced, "Quantum technology, which can dramatically increase computational speed compared to supercomputers, is a game-changer bringing innovation to all industries and security. Competition to secure this technology is accelerating among the United States, the European Union (EU), Japan, and China. Through this visit, we will exchange opinions on the success factors that made Switzerland a quantum technology powerhouse and strategies that our country, as a latecomer, should adopt, as well as establish human networks between scientists of both countries."

When asked by reporters about the possibility of bilateral quantum talks between heads of state at the Davos Forum, a senior official from the Presidential Office responded, "(The Davos Forum) is not a venue for bilateral or multilateral summit meetings," adding, "Leaders may naturally meet and have informal conversations while passing by. Such meetings will occur in a very natural atmosphere."

Prior to this, President Yoon will make a state visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from the 14th to the 17th at the invitation of President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. During the visit, President Yoon will hold a summit and state luncheon with President Mohammed, visit the Barakah nuclear power plant, and attend economic and energy-related events. The economic delegation accompanying the visit includes heads of major domestic groups and representatives from over 100 companies. This visit is expected to lead to the signing of multiple memorandums of understanding (MOUs) between the two countries.

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