South Korean President on a visit to India with owners of Samsung, Hyundai, LG and SK

The heads of four of South Korea's major business groups, Samsung, SK, Hyundai Motor, and LG, are expected to join President Lee Jae Myung on his official visit to India and Vietnam next week.

The list of delegates participating in this visit has already been finalized, with the Indian leg of the trip organized by the Federation of Korean Industries, and the Vietnam leg by the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Approximately 200 business executives are expected to participate in each trip, and they are scheduled to attend business forums in India on Monday and in Vietnam on Tuesday, as well as meet senior government officials in both countries.

Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong and LG Group Chairman Koo Kwang-mo are expected to join the visit to both countries, reflecting the extensive business interests of their respective companies in these regions. Samsung has already established Vietnam as one of its primary smartphone and electronic component manufacturing hubs, and India has become a major consumer market and manufacturing center for them. Similarly, LG has expanded its business operations in Vietnam for automotive component manufacturing and research activities, and has identified India as a key growth market, where it is also building its third manufacturing plant.

SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, who also serves as the Chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, is expected to lead the Vietnamese delegation and will not join the Indian visit. Instead, Lee Hyung-hee, head of the SK Supex Council's communication committee, is scheduled to go to India. Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chairman Chung Euisun will focus on India and join only that leg of the trip, while in Vietnam, the group will be represented by Sung Kim, a veteran diplomat and chairman who oversees external and public affairs.

President Lee Jae Myung's visit will take place from April 19 to 24, and it is his first visit to these countries since taking office last year, as well as the first visit by a South Korean president to India in eight years. Given the high level of Korean business engagement in both countries, industry authorities further believe that the participation of these high-level business leaders will pave the way for new investment plans or partnerships in sectors such as semiconductors, automobiles, electronics, and energy.