More details have been revealed about the South Korean economic leaders who will attend the second inter-Korean summit on Oct. 2 to 4. There will be between 15 and 18 businesspeople, up from 10 at the first inter-Korean summit. However, heads of business associations who seemed highly likely to go have been excluded. That suggests the government is compiling the list from leaders of companies that are engaged in inter-Korean trade or are willing to do so.
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From left: The chairmen of Samsung Group, Lee Kun-hee, Hyundai Motor, Chung Mong-koo, LG Group, Koo Bon-moo, SK Group, Chey Tae-won, and Lotte Group, Shin Kyuk-ho
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Of Korea¡¯s four major businesses, Hyundai Motor Chairman Chung Mong-Koo, LG Group Chairman Koo Bon-moo and SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won will go in the special entourage. Some large enterprises have already been informed of the government¡¯s decisions and have accepted. Samsung Group Vice Chairman Yoon Jong-yong will go in place of Chairman Lee Kun-hee. Kim Ki-moon, chairman of Romanson and chairman of the Korea Federation of Small and Medium Business, and Nam Sang-tae, president and CEO of Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering, who is considering building a shipyard and repair center in Nampo, will also accompany President Roh to North Korea.
Some economic organizations seem disappointed to have been left off the list. In the first inter-Korean summit, three people from the Federation of Korean Industries, the Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Korea International Trade Association visited the North. Industry watchers say that relations between the major trade organizations and Cheong Wa Dae were strained by remarks by Cho Suk-rai, chairman of the FKI, and Sohn Kyung-shik, chairman of the KCCI, about the economically savvy president.
A senior industry official said, ¡°Some heads of economic organizations were disappointed because they weren¡¯t included on the list. The reason for their being excluded seems to be for having caused unnecessary controversy with remarks about the president.¡±
(englishnews@chosun.com )
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