Korean business tycoons pay their respects to Nguyen Phu Trong

Industry

Published: 26 Jul. 2024, 15:55 Updated: 26 Jul. 2024, 19:06

Korean business tycoons pay their respects to Nguyen Phu Trong

Samsung Electronics Executive Chairman Lee Jae-yong pays tribute at the altar of Nguyen Phu Trong, the general secretary of Vietnam's ruling communist party, set up at the Embassy of Vietnam in central Seoul. [YONHAP]

Korea's business tycoons, including Samsung Electronics Executive Chairman Lee Jae-yong, paid their respects to Nguyen Phu Trong, the general secretary of Vietnam's ruling communist party, who passed away on July 19.

An incense altar for Trong was set up at the Vietnamese Embassy in Korea located in central Seoul.

Samsung Electronics' Lee paid a visit to the altar recently to bid farewell to the leader and send condolences to the Vietnamese people. Lee also met with Vu Ho, the Vietnamese ambassador to Korea.

"I pray for the soul of the general secretary along with the people of Vietnam," Lee wrote in the book of condolences at the altar.

"I will forever remember [Trong's] strong belief and leadership to strive further for the development of both Vietnam and Korea."

Lee had met with Trong when the late leader visited Samsung Electronics' Seocho office in southern Seoul in November 2014 to discuss a possible collaboration between the two countries.

Other business leaders including SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, Lotte Group Chairman Shin Dong-bin and GS Group Chairman Huh Tae-soo also made visits to the incense altar over the past few days.

"I pray for eternal sleep of the general secretary who sacrificed for Vietnam's growth," Chey wrote in the message book. "I pay my condolences to the family and the people of Vietnam and promise Korea's economy to be a reliable partner for Vietnam's development in the future."

BY JIN EUN-SOO [jin.eunsoo@joongang.co.kr]