이재용 삼성전자 회장(왼쪽부터)과 최태원 SK회장, 정의선 현대차그룹 회장, 구광모 LG 회장이 올해 1월 3일 오후 서울 중구 대한상공회의소에서 열린 '2025년 경제계 신년인사회'에 참석하고 있다. [사진=유대길 기자]

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SEOUL, December 23 (AJP) -South Korea’s leading business leaders are seeking to visit China early next year as part of a large-scale economic delegation, a move that could coincide with a summit under discussion between President Lee Jae Myung and Chinese President Xi Jinping, according to sources closed to the matter Monday.

The delegation, expected to include Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong, SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, Myung Motor Group Chairman Chung Euisun and LG Group Chairman Koo Kwang-mo, is being organized by the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI).

Business circles said the chamber is currently accepting applications from companies to join the China mission, which is expected to comprise about 200 firms and take place in early January. The delegation is likely to be led by Chey in his capacity as KCCI chairman.

If realized, it would mark the chamber’s first China business delegation since December 2019, when it organized a visit linked to a South Korea–China–Japan summit during the Moon Jae-in administration.

Chey visited China in October to discuss preparations for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO Summit and ways to expand bilateral economic cooperation. Industry officials said the participation of all four conglomerate chiefs is highly likely, underscoring the strategic weight of the trip.

The chamber is set to close applications on Monday and finalize the delegation after a screening process. The final schedule and attendee list could be adjusted depending on whether summit talks between Seoul and Beijing proceed as planned.

South Korea and China have been in consultations over a possible leaders’ summit early next year, according to Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said Monday, adding that a date could be announced soon.

The business delegation include a Korea–China business forum, the signing of economic cooperation memorandums of understanding, and one-on-one business meetings. The forum is expected to focus on manufacturing innovation and supply-chain cooperation, new consumer-goods markets, and services and content.

Major South Korean conglomerates have pledged a combined $350 billion in U.S. investment, largely focused on advanced manufacturing, energy and next-generation technologies. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP.
Lee Nak-yeon 기자 nakk@ajunews.com

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