Shaking Hands with the president
Business tycoon Chung Yong-jin, Chairman of Shinsegae, attends dinner with U.S. President Trump in Qatar.
In a striking moment, Shinsegae Group Chairman Chung Yong-jin shared a handshake with U.S. President Donald Trump at a state banquet in Doha, as captured in a still from a Forbes video [Picture].
The Sony and the Qatari Emir's Gathering
This meeting marked a significant moment for Chung, being one of the few Asian businesspeople invited to a state dinner hosted by the Emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. During the event, Trump introduced Chung as a close friend of his son, Donald Trump Jr. [News 2][News 5]
A Friend in High Places
The bond between Chung and Donald Trump Jr. has been cultivated since 2015 [Enrichment Data: Nature of the Relationship]. This personal connection extends beyond the business realm, with both men sharing a common faith in Protestant Christianity, thereby allowing Chung to effectively act as a liaison between Korean business leaders and the Trump administration [Enrichment Data: Nature of the Relationship].
Khakis and Diplomacy
Chung's role goes beyond personal ties, as he has endeavored to build bridges between Korean business interests and U.S. political circles under the Trump administration. He has facilitated meetings between Korean executives and Donald Trump Jr., emphasizing his influence in forging bilateral business relationships [Enrichment Data: Extent of Engagement]
From Florida to Qatar, a Journey of Influence
Their relationship has taken them from Mar-a-Lago in Florida to the heart of the Middle East. Chung has met Donald Trump in person multiple times, including during the transition period and again when Trump visited Qatar in May 2025 [Enrichment Data: Extent of Engagement]
A Global Stage
The Qatari government extended an invitation to Chung to attend the state dinner with Trump, recognizing his longstanding ties with the Trump family. This inclusion in a major diplomatic event demonstrates the international standing and diplomatic weight Chung carries within this circle [Enrichment Data: Extent of Engagement].
Boosting Korean Business
In addition to his personal and diplomatic interactions, Chung has played a role in advancing Korean business interests in relation to U.S. concerns, particularly facilitating export growth for Korean content, cosmetics, and processed food, thereby strengthening U.S.-Korea business relations during the Trump era [Enrichment Data: Korean Business Leader Role].
- The exchange between Chung and Trump at the state banquet in Doha, while significant in itself, also reflects the intersection of business and politics on a global stage.
- Chung's influence extends beyond personal ties, impacting Korean business relations with the United States in the broader context of finance, industry, and general-news.
- The relationship between Chung and Trump Jr., forged since 2015, transcends the realm of business, affording Chung the opportunity to act as a bridge between Korean business leaders and the Trump administration, shaping the course of the country's business and politics.
