DAVOS, Switzerland– President Yoon Suk Yeol met with a group of CEOs from South Korean conglomerates and other leading multinational companies in Davos on Wednesday and discussed solutions to global challenges that included securing stable supply chains and climate change, his office said.
The luncheon was held shortly after Yoon arrived in Davos to attend the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF), where he is scheduled to deliver a special address on Thursday.
The CEOs in attendance included Samsung Electronics Executive Chairman Lee Jae-yong, SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won and Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Euisun Chung among chiefs of South Korean conglomerates, as well as the CEOs of Intel, IBM, Qualcomm, JP Morgan Chase and Mubadala Investment Company.
“President Yoon said solidarity and cooperation between states and businesses is more urgent than ever to solve the recent complex crisis,” the presidential office said.
“He also said businesses will be able to solve global problems while pursuing sustainable growth based on creativity, innovation and a spirit of challenge, and through technological innovations,” it said.
Yoon emphasized the need for governments to support the fair and efficient operation of markets to promote technological innovations in the private sector.
“President Yoon also introduced our government’s economic policy direction centered on the private sector and markets, as well as our network of free trade agreements at the global level, and our competitiveness in cutting-edge industries and excellent work force,” his office said.
“He emphasized his commitment to turning South Korea into a world-class innovation hub,” it added.
Yoon additionally called on the CEOs of the multinational companies to increase cooperation with South Korean businesses and expand investment in South Korea while also seeking their support for the country’s bid to host the World Expo 2030.
Yoon is the first South Korean president to attend the WEF since former President Park Geun-hye in 2014.
He is on a two-nation tour that earlier took him to the United Arab Emirates for a state visit.
Source: Yonhap News Agency