DPK excludes key business association from discussion on Trump policies

By Park Jae-hyuk

The Federation of Korean Industries (FKI) was excluded on Wednesday from a discussion between the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), business associations and the nation's four largest conglomerates on Washington's protectionist policies, despite the federation's close relationship with U.S. President Donald Trump's aides.

According to industry officials, the DPK did not invite the FKI to the event while asking for the participation of the heads of in-house think tanks at Samsung, SK, Hyundai Motor and LG, as well as the representatives of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Korea International Trade Association and the Korea Federation of SMEs.

Last month, FKI Chairman Ryu Jin became the only head of Korea's major business associations to participate in Trump's inauguration in Washington.

Based on his friendship with Republican politicians, including the family of former U.S. President George H.W. Bush, Ryu has chaired the Korea-U.S. Business Council, which holds meetings regularly with the U.S.-Korea Business Council under the supervision of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

FKI Vice Chairman and CEO Kim Chang-beom was a career diplomat who formerly worked at the Korean Embassy in the United States. He informed lawmakers attending Trump's inauguration of Korean companies' investments in the U.S. and their primary concerns.

Additionally, the federation recently organized a task force to cope with Trump's policies and held a seminar to discuss the impacts of his executive orders on the Korean economy and possible countermeasures.

However, the DPK excluded the FKI from the party-hosted event once again.

The main opposition party has continuously avoided a meeting with the federation, citing the lobby group's connection with a corruption scandal in 2016 and 2017 that involved impeached former President Park Geun-hye and her close confidant Choi Soon-sil, who was accused of interfering with state affairs.

Last November, the FKI was not invited to the DPK's meeting with seven business associations and executives of Korea's four largest conglomerates for a discussion on the proposed revision to the Commercial Act, as the federation had led the issuance of a joint statement opposing the new law.

National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik also excluded the FKI from his meeting with the chairmen of Korea's four business associations last December. Woo previously belonged to the DPK before he took the position and had to give up his party membership.