Trump Jr. to meet Korean biz leaders in Seoul this week

Donald Trump Jr., right, and his girlfriend, Bettina Anderson, attend the annual Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House on Monday (local time). AFP-Yonhap

U.S. President Donald Trump's eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., who currently wields a key presence in Washington, will visit Seoul this week for meetings with Korea's leading business moguls.

During his one-night stay in Seoul, Trump Jr. will meet chairmen and CEOs from Korea's top 10 conglomerates on Wednesday, according to industry sources.

Trump Jr. plans to only meet business leaders and has no plan to engage with Korea's government officials and politicians.

His visit follows an invitation from Shinsegae Group Chairman Chung Yong-jin, who is known to have close ties with Trump Jr. and is expected to accompany him throughout the trip.

Chung visited Washington in January to attend Trump’s presidential inauguration and shared a photo online of their meeting.

Shinsegae, however, couldn't confirm whether the anticipated meetings with Trump Jr. and Korean business people will happen.

It remains uncertain who Trump Jr. will meet during his Seoul visit, but it is speculated that it is likely to be the heads of Korea’s top conglomerates in fields that account for the largest portions of bilateral trade, such as semiconductor, automobile, electronic, steel and defense.

The highest probability points to heads of the country’s top four conglomerates: Samsung Electronics Executive Chairman Lee Jae-yong; Chairman of SK Group and Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chey Tae-won; Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chairman Chung Euisun; and LG Group Chairman Koo Kwang-mo.

Hanwha Group Vice Chairman Kim Dong-kwan, Lotte Group Chairman Shin Dong-bin, GS Group Chairman Huh Tae-soo and POSCO Group Chairman Chang In-hwa are also speculated to meet Trump Jr. next week. CJ Group Chairman Lee Jay-hyun and Naver Founder Lee Hae-jin are also on the prospective roster.

Trump Jr.'s speculated visit comes as the U.S. Trump administration is engaging in negotiations with Korea over its tariff measures, including "reciprocal" tariffs and item-specific tariffs.

While the Korean and the U.S. government officials are holding government-level talks, including a "two-plus-two" trade consultation involving the two countries' trade and finance authorities on Friday, Korean businesses are also exploring business measures to navigate the tariff pressures.

Trump Jr.'s visit is viewed as an opportunity for Korean businesses to engage with one of the most influential people connected to the Trump administration.