Trump Jr.’s 2-Day South Korea Visit Creates Buzz in Business Circles… Chosun Palace Highlighted

# Donald Trump Jr.'s Visit to South Korea: Strengthening the U.S.-Korean Business Nexus Donald Trump Jr., the eldest son of former U.S. President Donald Trump, made a notable visit to South Korea, invited by Chung Yong-jin, chairman of Shinsegae Group. This significant trip, though conducted discreetly, highlights potential boosts in ties between South Korean conglomerates and key U.S. political and economic players. ## Exclusive Meetings with South Korea’s Top Executives According to industry insiders, Trump Jr. landed in South Korea on October 29 via a private jet, arriving at Seoul’s Gimpo Airport Business Aviation Center. To avoid media, he skipped the main terminal and proceeded to a private dinner with Chairman Chung. He later stayed at the Josun Palace Seoul Gangnam, a luxurious hotel run by Shinsegae Group’s Josun Hotels & Resorts. On October 30, Trump Jr. had several confidential meetings with leaders of major South Korean conglomerates. His itinerary was kept under wraps to avoid public attention, with security measures that included restricted access to the hotel's underground parking under the guise of renovations. ### Key Discussions with Hanwha and Naver Starting the day, Trump Jr. met with top executives from Hanwha Group, including Vice Chairman Kim Dong-kwan, and his brothers, Kim Dong-won of Hanwha Life Insurance and Kim Dong-sun of Hanwha Galleria and Hotel & Resort. Discussions focused on potential collaborations in defense, energy, and semiconductors, areas where Hanwha has a significant U.S. presence. Later, he met Naver Founder Lee Hae-jin at 11 a.m. Naver confirmed discussions on artificial intelligence, technology, and global expansion. The talks were characterized as positive, emphasizing collaborative efforts and the rising intersection of Korean tech with global political-industrial networks. ### Biotech Collaboration with Lotte Group Shin Yoo-yul, Vice President at Lotte Holdings and Lotte Biologics, also met with Trump Jr. Discussions centered on Lotte’s biotech ventures aligning with U.S. initiatives. Lotte Biologics, which initiated operations at its Syracuse, New York plant in 2022, has made strides as a Korean CDMO firm with substantial U.S. investments. The plant’s antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) facility, recently operational after a $100 million investment, showcases Lotte's adaptation to U.S. trade policies under Trump. ### CJ Group’s U.S. Market Expansion Trump Jr. also met Lee Jae-hyun, Chairman of CJ Group, discussing CJ's expansion in the U.S. Over recent years, CJ Group has heavily invested in North America, notably acquiring U.S. food company Schwan’s in 2019, and now runs 20 production facilities nationwide. CJ recently invested roughly $700 billion KRW in an Asian food production hub in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and is building a significant frozen dough and cake plant in Georgia, worth about 70 billion KRW. ## Josun Palace Seoul Gangnam: A New Hub for Dignitaries Notably, Trump Jr. stayed at the Josun Palace Seoul Gangnam, diverging from the usual choice of the Grand Hyatt Seoul by foreign dignitaries, including former U.S. Presidents. His stay not only elevated the hotel's profile but also positioned it as a potential venue for other high-profile international guests. ## Strategic Importance for Korean Industry Observers highlight that Trump Jr.'s visit was a strategic opportunity for South Korean companies to fortify connections with U.S. political and economic figures. Given the ongoing influence of the Trump administration's trade policies, particularly tariffs, engagement with figures like Trump Jr. holds strategic significance. “This meeting was a valuable chance to build rapport with a key figure like Trump Jr., potentially communicating South Korea’s stance on crucial trade issues directly,” said an industry official. From defense and biotech to technology and food, Trump Jr.'s discreet yet significant meetings with Korean conglomerates underscore the growing interdependence between South Korea and the U.S. in shaping the future of global markets and policies.