Kim Bom, chairman and founder of South Korea’s e-commerce giant Coupang, and Chung Yong-jin, chairman of the leading retail conglomerate Shinsegae Group, are set to attend U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration on Jan. 20. Both executives have secured seats alongside prominent figures and major donors, giving them a front-row view of Trump’s swearing-in ceremony. They are also scheduled to attend the official inaugural balls as well as several unofficial ones, including events featuring Trump and First Lady Melania Trump.
Representing the leaders of South Korea’s online and offline retail sectors, Kim and Chung have long been rivals in their respective industries. Their attendance at the inauguration underscores their active engagement as prominent South Korean business figures. In previous U.S. presidential inaugurations, notable South Korean attendees included Ryu Jin, chairman of Poongsan Group, and Kim Seung-youn, chairman of Hanwha Group. However, this year’s spotlight is firmly on Kim and Chung.
According to diplomatic sources in Washington, D.C., Coupang Chairman Kim participated in a private reception held on Jan. 17 at the Conrad By Hilton Washington DC. Hosted by Donald Trump Jr., the event attracted approximately 200 attendees, including 50 officials from the incoming administration. Among the notable guests were Senator Marco Rubio, nominee for Secretary of State; Scott Bessent, nominee for Secretary of the Treasury; and Howard Lutnick, nominee for Secretary of Commerce.
Photos shared on social media show Kim conversing with Howard Lutnick and posing for pictures with Trump Jr. A Harvard graduate and U.S. citizen, Kim founded Coupang following a tenure at Boston Consulting Group. Married to a Taiwanese-American, Kim has actively built international networks, a move credited with facilitating his access to high-profile events involving senior Trump administration figures.
Founded in 2010, Coupang is headquartered in Seattle and was listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in 2021. In December, Alex Wong, who was appointed Deputy National Security Advisor at the White House, served as Coupang’s head of Public Affairs at its Washington, D.C., office.
Kim’s schedule for Jan. 20 includes attending Trump’s inauguration, a celebratory dinner, and several official and unofficial inaugural balls. A business insider noted, “Kim has been invited to three official inaugural balls and numerous unofficial events hosted by various groups. He plans to attend as many as his schedule permits.”
Shinsegae Group Chairman Chung Yong-jin will also attend the inauguration on Jan. 20, having received an invitation from Donald Trump Jr. In addition to the ceremony, Chung is expected to participate in exclusive dinners and balls reserved for VIPs.
Chung holds the distinction of being the first South Korean business leader to meet President-elect Trump following his election. On Dec. 20, Chung accepted an invitation from Trump Jr. and spent six days at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, where he met directly with the president-elect.
On Jan. 18, Chung arrived in Washington, D.C., on a private jet from New York. Speaking to South Korean reporters at John F. Kennedy International Airport before his departure, Chung was asked about potential meetings with key U.S. political figures during the inauguration. He remarked, “I anticipate that Trump Jr. will introduce me to many influential individuals.” Reflecting on his relationship with Trump Jr., he added, “We’ve maintained contact for about two years and became close through shared interests and values.”
