Bolton visits Korea to attract investments in Rhone

Rhone Group senior adviser John Bolton, second from left, shakes hands with Korea Teachers' Credit Union (KTCU) Chairman Cha Sung-soo, second from right, at The-K Tower in Seoul, Thursday. Left is Rhone Group co-founder Robert Agostinelli. / Courtesy of KTCU

By Park Jae-hyuk

Former U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton came to Korea to meet institutional investors here and encourage their investments in Rhone Group, according to industry officials, Thursday.

He has been serving as the U.S. private equity firm's (PEF) senior adviser, since he was fired in September after feuding with U.S. President Donald Trump over foreign policies including on North Korea.

On Thursday, the former federal government official accompanied Rhone Group co-founder Robert Agostinelli to his meeting with Korea Teachers' Credit Union (KTCU) Chairman Cha Sung-soo in Seoul.

The KTCU said it discussed trends of alternative investments overseas and ways of mutual cooperation with Rhone Group during the meeting.

According to sources, Bolton also met officials from Atinum Partners, a domestic PEF, and the Korea Scientists & Engineers Mutual-Aid Association that day.

He will reportedly meet officials from NongHyup Cooperative Banking Depositor Protection Fund, Korea Investment Corporation and the Public Officials Benefit Association, Friday.

The institutions said they have yet to make any decision on their investments in Rhone Group.

Before visiting Korea, Bolton attended the Japanese emperor's enthronement event in Tokyo and met institutional investors there.

Founded in 1996, Rhone Group manages assets worth 5 billion euros ($5.5 billion) as of the first half of 2019.