Blue House holds hush-hush talks with executives

Kim Sang-jo, policy chief of the Blue House, met with a group of executives on Wednesday as the government leans on the companies to maintain employment in the face of coronavirus-related challenges.

The participants were Rhee In-yong, president of corporate relations at Samsung Electronics, Hyundai Motor Executive Vice President Kong Young-woon, SK Holdings President Jang Dong-hyun, LG Corporation Vice Chairman Kwon Young-soo and Lotte Corporation Vice Chairman Hwang Kag-gyu.

The government would not disclose details of the discussions.

The companies also declined to provide any information about the talks.

President Moon Jae-in has said that keeping jobs is central to dealing with the economic impact of Covid-19.

Companies including Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction and Korean Air Lines have cut hours to save money.

Budget carrier Eastar Jet laid off around 350 employees since the outbreak grounded the airline.

The meeting was held at the Four Seasons Hotel in central Seoul, and the event lasted about one hour, according to multiple local media outlets.

Kim has met with corporate leaders on a regular basis, with the previous gathering held last July at the height of Japan’s exports restrictions against Korea.

BY PARK EUN-JEE [park.eunjee@joongang.co.kr]