Korean Business Leaders Meet Trump Locally to Discuss Investment, Though No Golf Together

Not in the same group... Met Trump after the game to share current investment status in the region

Lee Jae-yong and Choi Tae-won returned immediately... Chung Euisun, Koo Kwang-mo, Kim Dong-kwan inspect overseas business sites

President Trump's car heading to the golf club [Yonhap News File Photo]

Amidst the return of major Korean business leaders following a golf event near the Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida with President Donald Trump, much interest is focused on what discussions took place with President Trump.

Although they were not included in the same golf foursome as President Trump, it is known that they met with him after the game to discuss local investments and shipbuilding cooperation.

According to industry sources on the 20th, Lee Jae-yong, Chairman of Samsung Electronics, Choi Tae-won, Chairman of SK Group, Chung Euisun, Chairman of Hyundai Motor Group, Koo Kwang-mo, Chairman of LG Group, and Kim Dong-kwan, Vice Chairman of Hanwha Group, participated in a golf event held on the 18th (local time) at President Trump's 'Trump International Golf Club West Palm Beach' in Florida, USA.

The event, hosted by Masayoshi Son, Chairman of Japan's SoftBank, invited business representatives from Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and other countries to play golf in foursomes.

It is reported that President Trump was in the same group as host Son, professional golfers Gary Player, and Bryson DeChambeau. This means he did not play golf directly with the Korean business leaders.

However, industry officials stated that the golf groups on this day consisted of one US government official, one professional golfer, and two business people, meaning all the Korean leaders played a round with high-ranking US government officials.

This marks the first time that major Korean business leaders have collectively played golf with prominent figures from government and industry.

Chairmen of Korea's Top Four Conglomerates [Yonhap News File Photo]

An industry source commented, "The chairmen were informed about who they would be playing with before their departure," adding, "Even if they weren't playing with President Trump, they were told there would be an opportunity to meet him after the game, which is why they headed to the US."

It is reported that the chairmen of the top four groups and Vice Chairman Kim met with President Trump after the golf event and discussed local investments. However, it is understood that discussions regarding tariffs with President Trump did not take place.

The Korean leaders shared the current status of investments by Korean companies in the United States. In response, President Trump reportedly emphasized cooperation in the shipbuilding industry and requested collaboration.

Another industry source stated, "Given the nature of the meeting, rather than direct requests about tariff conditions, they likely explained their investment status as a contribution to the US economy," adding, "It seems the leaders participated in this event not to make requests, but with the aim of building a relationship of trust with Trump for the national interest."

The business leaders are gradually returning home after the golf event, which lasted approximately seven hours.

Chairman Lee Jae-yong and Chairman Choi Tae-won arrived in Korea consecutively around 3 AM and 7 AM respectively on the same day. Considering the timing, it appears they boarded their return flights immediately after the golf meeting.

Chairman Chung Euisun and Vice Chairman Kim Dong-kwan are still in the United States to inspect local business operations. Chairman Koo Kwang-mo has also not yet returned. Yonhap News

President Donald Trump playing golf [Yonhap News File Photo]