Chung Yong-jin, Chairman of Shinsegae, "Trump Interested in Korea... US-Korea Communication Channel Must Improve Quickly"

Attending President-elect Trump's Inauguration and Ball on the 20th

Chung Yong-jin, chairman of Shinsegae Group, who visited the United States on the 17th (local time) to attend the inauguration ceremony of President-elect Donald Trump, expressed the view that the political turmoil in Korea must be resolved and the communication channel with the U.S. should be improved quickly. He also said that President-elect Trump showed interest in Korea.

Jung Yong-jin, Chairman of Shinsegae Group, is meeting with reporters at New York JFK International Airport on the 17th (local time). Chairman Jung will attend the inauguration ceremony of President-elect Donald Trump in Washington D.C. on the 20th. New York=Photo by Kwon Haeyoung

On the same day, Chairman Chung met with reporters at New York JFK International Airport and, when asked whether he had been requested by the Korean government or business circles to deliver messages to President-elect Trump’s side, he said, "No," and made these remarks. He is the only Korean political and business figure to have met President-elect Trump since his victory in the November presidential election last year.

Chairman Chung said, "I am just an ordinary businessman," and added, "The communication channel with the U.S. should be improved quickly, and even if it is not me, someone in a better position should meet President-elect Trump." He explained, "I will just faithfully carry out the duties assigned to me in my position," and "I believe that only by doing so can we overcome many domestic crises."

When asked about playing a bridging role between Korea and the U.S. on a private level, he said, "As a businessman, I intend to faithfully fulfill the duties assigned to me," expressing hope that it would be helpful for national interests or as a bridge.

Chairman Chung also visited Mar-a-Lago Resort in Palm Beach, Florida, the residence of President-elect Trump, in December last year at the invitation of Donald Trump Jr., the eldest son of President-elect Trump and a behind-the-scenes 'power broker' involved in the second administration’s appointments. At that time, he stayed at Mar-a-Lago Resort for five nights and six days and had a separate meeting with President-elect Trump.

Jung Yong-jin, Chairman of Shinsegae Group, and his spouse Han Ji-hee arrived on the 17th (local time) through New York JFK International Airport. Chairman Jung will attend the inauguration ceremony of President-elect Donald Trump in Washington D.C. on the 20th. Photo by New York Correspondent Joint Coverage Team

He also explained that President-elect Trump is interested in the situation in Korea.

Chairman Chung said, "President-elect Trump asked several questions about Korea during the Mar-a-Lago meeting," adding, "It was an informal occasion, so it was not a setting where we could talk much about politics." He further added, "I told President-elect Trump’s side that Korea is a country with great potential and that if they are patient and wait a little, Korea is ready to return to normal at any time."

Regarding his friendship with Trump Jr., he said, "We have been meeting for about two years, and I think we quickly became close because we like similar things and share similar beliefs," and "I expect Trump Jr. to introduce many American figures to me." However, he stated that he has never discussed Shinsegae’s business in the U.S. with Trump Jr.

Chairman Chung will attend President-elect Trump’s inauguration ceremony and the scheduled ball in Washington D.C. on the 20th.

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