Business Leaders` Trips Coincide With Roh`s Visit to U.S.

Conglomerate representatives and economy experts are leaving for the U.S. at the end of the week, following President Roh`s planned visit to Washington.

Sources said yesterday that business leaders would take individually arranged flights at various times according to their own schedules. Some of them planned to stay longer to visit local offices for their companies and other business leaders in the U.S. even after May 17, when President Roh wraps up his trip.

Samsung Chairman Lee Kun-hee, currently visiting Japan, will travel to the U.S. in his private plane this weekend. During his stay, Lee plans to make investment deals and discuss the impact of the North Korean nuclear issue at meetings with U.S. leaders in political and business circles. He also plans to attend a dinner for the Korea Society along with Citibank.

LG Group Chairman Koo Bon-mu will depart on May 11. His entourage will include Koo Ja-hong, chairman of LG Electronics, and Lee Yoon-ho, head of LG Economic Research Institute. Chairman Koo will visit LG International Group in New Jersey and meet with the heads of IBM, a distributor Circuit City and former chairman of FCC (Federal Communications Commission) Richard Willy to discuss cooperative measures before returning home on May 17.

Son Kil-seung, chairman of the FKI (Federation of Korean Industries) and SK Telecom, plans to leave on May 11, and will participate in IR presentations and other events, arranged by the FKI and several business envoys from Korea.

Hyundai Motor Company Chairman Chung Mong-ku, who leaves on May 10, is expected to hold several events to promote the nation’s image abroad with the help of some close U.S. politicians and consultancy groups. After completing his official schedule, Chung will visit local branches for Hyundai and view auto plant construction sites in Alabama.

Business envoys will focus on strengthening economic and security ties with the U.S. on this trip. They will also work on resolving differences between the U.S. and Korea on issues such as the North’s nuclear program as well as hold various other finance-related discussions.

Thirty-one business envoys now plan to accompany President Roh including chairmen of the Korea Federation of Banks, the Korea Federation of Securities Dealers, Woori Financial Group, and Shinhan Financial Group.

Yeon-Su Shin ysshin@donga.com