Hyundai chief turns on charm ahead of appeal
Chung Mong-koo
The top auto-making group said last week that Chung would leave in mid-June for Europe to take part in the 141st general assembly of the International Exhibitions Bureau in Paris.
The assembly on June 18 will be the last chance to lobby for Korea’s effort to host the 2012 Yeosu International Expo, which Chung has avidly supported since President Roh Moo-hyun asked business leaders for support last December. The official vote on the expo venue is Nov. 27.
Aside from his Paris visit, Chung took a month-long trip to the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Turkey and Brazil in April to appeal to the international community on Yeosu’s behalf.
Chung also gained attention when he joined a meeting of the Federation of Korean Industries on May 29, his first visit to the federation since November 2005.
He told reporters at the venue that his appearance at the meeting was meant to rally business leaders to support the exposition in the southwestern port city.
Given that he has avoided public exposure since being charged with misappropriating company money to set up a slush fund and breach of trust in April of last year, experts say his recent flurry of activity is aimed at influencing the Seoul High Court’s upcoming final ruling on his appeal. Chung faces a prison sentence if the appeal is rejected.
“Chung’s efforts to attract a large-scale international fair that is potentially beneficial to Korea will at least not have a negative impact on the ruling, he seems to presume,” said an industry insider who declined to be named.
Chung’s fourth appeal hearing is scheduled for June 5, when prosecutors are again expected to seek a prison term. The Seoul High Court in February this year sentenced him to three years in jail, while prosecutors demanded six.
By Seo Ji-eun Staff Writer [spring@joongang.co.kr]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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