General economy : Economy : News : The Hankyoreh

After the Korea-Japan summit, some in the business community are discussing the role of the Federation of Korean Industries (FKI). Along with the possibility of restoring their status in the business world, rumors of a return to the top 4 groups are also being discussed. While ruling out the possibility of rejoining, the four main groups respond that they can be influenced by political issues. Summarizing the coverage on the 20th, there are comments that the Federation of Korean Industries will participate in President Yoon Seok-yeol’s economic schedule in connection with the Korea-US summit scheduled for next month. An official from a business group said, “There is talk that the Federation of Korean Industries will propose to the Office of the President an event with American companies and congressional groups with which it has networks.” The reason for this comment is that during President Yoon’s visit on the 16th and 17th, the Federation of Korean Industries formed the ‘Future Partnership Fund’ with Japanese economic institutions, and businessmen from both countries, including the heads of the four main groups, declared “economic cooperation.” There is an ‘achievement’ that he did. An official from a business group said, “At a time when public opinion on the government’s forced labor plan was poor, the Federation of Korean Industries took on the dirty work and at least made an appearance for the president. It was not easy to restore the relationship even after Yoon Seok-yeol’s administration came in, but it was an unintentionally good opportunity. ” This means that the Federation of Korean Industries will actively participate in the Korea-US summit in April and begin to restore its status. Strictly speaking, the future fundraising plan and the meeting with entrepreneurs were not led by the Federation of Korean Industries. As the timetable for the President’s visit to Japan was hastily decided following the announcement of the government’s plan for forced labour, the government hastily discussed ‘sincere measures’ with Japan using the Federation of Korean Industries. In this process, the Federation of Korean Industries has only faithfully served as a window to the government. After announcing the government’s plan for forced labor on the 6th, the Federation of Korean Industries said, “We don’t know anything about the fund,” but a few hours later, it issued a statement saying, “We will start detailed discussions. ” The Federation of Korean Industries and Keidanren (Federation of Economic Organizations of Keidanren / Japan) have mutual networks, such as holding the ‘Korea-Japan Business Conference’ every year since 1983. The four main groups clearly draw a line about rejoining the FKI, saying, “It’s not being discussed, and I don’t think it’s an issue to be discussed.” An official from one of the four major groups said, “We have participated in events held by the Federation of Korean Industries before as needed. It is a matter of a completely different level between keeping up with an FKI project based on policy or political opinion and joining again as a member company.” An official from four other major groups also pointed out, “The Federation of Korean Industries promised innovation and renewal until it hired an interim president, but when talk of regaining past power came out, the front and back changed.” There are also concerns that it could ignite another political debate in the name of a national issue. “If the Federation of Korean Industries reaches out to companies to raise money for the Korea-Japan Future Fund, which is a voluntary donation, it could quickly become controversial,” said an executive in charge of government affairs at a major corporation. . We have to remember that we have been hidden many times in the past due to collusion of power,” he said. Senior Correspondent Kim Hoe-seung honesty@hani.co.kr