Jung Yoo-kyung, President of Shinsegae, Appears at External Event for the First Time in 7 Years

Welcoming Guests at the Segye×Freeze VIP Party
First Since the 2016 Daegu Shinsegae Opening Ceremony
Older Brother Vice Chairman Jeong Yong-jin Also Present at the Party Venue

Jung Yoo-kyung, the head of Shinsegae Department Store known as the "reclusive executive," reportedly took part in greeting guests at an external event related to the art fair "Frieze Seoul." This marks his first appearance at an official event in seven years.

Jung Yoo-kyung, President of Shinsegae Department Store. [Photo by Yonhap News]

According to industry sources on the 8th, Jung attended the "Shinsegae×Frieze VIP Party" held on the 6th at the curated store "Boondeshop Cheongdam" in Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul. The party was organized by Shinsegae Department Store to celebrate the opening of the Boondeshop Gallery, inviting around 500 VIPs including representatives from domestic fashion brands. Jung reportedly personally greeted guests alongside executives such as Son Young-sik, CEO of Shinsegae Department Store.

It is unusual for Jung to appear at an event attended by outsiders rather than an internal company event. His last public appearance was at the grand opening ceremony of Shinsegae Daegu in 2016. At that time, Jung attracted public attention by appearing at an external event for the first time in 20 years since joining the company in 1996.

Jung Yong-jin, Vice Chairman of Shinsegae Group. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Jung’s older brother, Jung Yong-jin, Vice Chairman of Shinsegae Group, was also present at the party. Jung Yong-jin posted a photo with Hollywood actress Jodie Foster on his Instagram. He often shares photos and posts related to business or personal interests on Instagram, which has attracted significant attention. With 810,000 followers, it is analyzed that he actively uses the platform to enhance the group’s image and promotion.

Shinsegae is putting considerable effort into the Frieze Seoul event by participating as an official partner and showcasing the Shinsegae Lounge. The basement level 1 of Boondeshop Cheongdam has been set up as the Shinsegae Gallery, serving as an exhibition space for the Frieze Seoul event. A Shinsegae official explained, "Shinsegae, which introduced the first department store gallery and art space, opened its gallery to the public for the first time as a group to introduce K-art content at a global art fair."

Frieze is considered one of the world’s top three art fairs alongside Art Basel and FIAC. It opened on the 6th and runs until the 9th at COEX in Seoul. Shinsegae is participating as the first official partner in the department store industry. Previously, Shinsegae attracted attention by unveiling the Shinsegae Lounge, which features a design that modernly reinterprets the "beauty of Korea." A Shinsegae official said, "We applied a refined and calm tone design to the lounge to embody the Korean aesthetic that values the impression and harmony with nature, such as wood, stone, and leather."

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