Hanwha Group Eldest Son Vice Chairman Kim Dong-kwan Attends Trump Inauguration Ceremony... Also Attended the Ball

Invitation Revealed Belatedly
Chairman Kim Seung-yeon Was Also Invited in 2017

Kim Dong-kwan, Vice Chairman of Hanwha Group, was invited to and attended the inauguration ceremony of U.S. President Donald Trump, a fact that was revealed belatedly.

According to business circles on the 22nd, Vice Chairman Kim watched the live broadcast of President Trump's inauguration ceremony held on the 20th (local time) in an indoor space in Washington DC, specifically in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol. The inauguration was originally scheduled to take place on an outdoor stage in front of the Capitol, but due to a forecast of subzero temperatures, the venue was changed to the indoor Capitol Rotunda. Those invited watched the ceremony on screens in other locations such as the Emancipation Hall or the nearby sports arena, Capital One Arena.

Kim Dong-kwan, Vice Chairman of Hanwha Group (Photo by Yonhap News)

Vice Chairman Kim is also reported to have attended the 'Starlight' ball held at Union Station, Washington DC, on the evening of the inauguration day. The Starlight ball, one of three inauguration balls, is an exclusive event attended only by key figures.

This event, conducted as an official ball combined with a dinner, allows only carefully selected political and business leaders by the Trump side to attend with their spouses or families. Besides Vice Chairman Kim, only Chung Yong-jin, Chairman of Shinsegae Group, and his spouse attended this ball.

Vice Chairman Kim was invited to the inauguration due to his longstanding connections with U.S. Republican figures, a relationship that dates back to his father, Kim Seung-yeon, Chairman of Hanwha Group.

At President Trump's inauguration held in January 2017, Chairman Kim Seung-yeon was the only head of a top 10 domestic conglomerate invited but was unable to attend due to health issues. At that time, Chairman Kim was known to have been invited due to his close relationship with Edwin Feulner, Chairman of the Asia Studies Center at the U.S. Heritage Foundation and a member of Trump’s first presidential transition team.

Vice Chairman Kim is expected to complete his U.S. business meetings and other schedules before returning to Korea.

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