Park Jae-hyuk is a seasoned journalist who has provided comprehensive coverage of South Korea's corporate dynamics, economic policies, industry challenges and the global positioning of Korean companies. Based on the articles he has written since joining The Korea Times in 2016, his investigative approach has helped readers understand corporate governance, economic trends and business strategies shaping South Korea’s economy.
Why Qatar invited Shinsegae chairman to state dinner with Trump
Shinsegae Group Chairman Chung Yong-jin, left, shakes hands with U.S. President Donald Trump before the Qatari state dinner at Lusail Palace in Doha, Wednesday (local time). Screenshot from ABC News Live's YouTube channel
By Park Jae-hyuk
Chung's friendship with Trump Jr. seen as true reason behind unexpected invitation
Shinsegae Group Chairman Chung Yong-jin had his second face-to-face meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump since the latter's reelection last November, accompanying Trump on his visit to Qatar — one of the destinations for his presidential tour of the Middle East this week.
In footage showing Trump greeting guests lining up to attend a state dinner in Doha on Wednesday (local time), Chung is seen shaking hands with the president and Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, engaging in a brief conversation with them for about 15 seconds. Chung was the only Korean businessman captured in the footage.
At least on the surface, the meeting seemed to come as a surprise even to the public relations team at the Korean retail conglomerate. Officials from the team said they did not know why their chairman had traveled to the Middle East, where the company currently has no business operations. Shinsegae spokespersons were unavailable for comment Thursday morning when asked how and why Chung attended the dinner.
A Shinsegae spokesperson later said Chung was invited at the request of the Qatari leader. She confirmed that the group is not doing any business in the Middle East.
"The invitation was extended because Qatar recognized the chairman as the most influential Asian in terms of relations with the U.S.," the spokesperson said. "Chung told the Qatari emir that he is interested in engaging with Qatar and other Middle Eastern countries."
Shinsegae Group Chairman Chung Yong-jin, center, and Han Ji-hee, right, Chung's wife, pose with Donald Trump Jr. in Washington, Jan. 18. Courtesy of Shinsegae Group
However, his attendance is widely believed to be the result of his close friendship with Donald Trump Jr., the president’s oldest son, who visited Seoul last month at Chung's invitation. That visit followed an earlier invitation from Trump Jr. for Chung to visit Mar-a-Lago in Florida and attend Trump’s inauguration ceremony in Washington.
Calling each other "brother," the two are said to have maintained a friendship based on their shared Christian faith.
Given his role as a key aide to his father, it is also important for Qatar to maintain a close relationship with Trump Jr.
He is scheduled to attend the 2025 Qatar Economic Forum, Powered by Bloomberg, next Wednesday. Backed by the Qatari government, the annual event is designed to showcase the Gulf nations' 2030 visions to global leaders and influencers.
As a plenary speaker, Trump Jr. will outline plans for investing in American industry and innovation.
Qatar has also sought to court the U.S. president through its offer of a luxury Boeing 747-8 jet for Air Force One and a Qatar Airways deal to purchase 210 new Boeing aircraft valued at $96 billion.