President Lee Calls Chaebol Leaders to Discuss Youth Employment and Regional Investment
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Image: YonhapIn this file photo, President Lee Jae Myung (C) attends a meeting with a group of business leaders at the presidential office in Seoul on June 13, 2025. Also at the meeting were LG Group Chairman Koo Kwang-mo (L), Samsung Electronics Co. Chairman Lee Jae-yong (2nd from L), Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Euisun Chung (2nd from R) and Lotte Group Chairman Shin Dong-bin. (Pool photo) (Yonhap) Source Full size
Lee Schedules Wednesday Chaebol Meeting at Cheong Wa Dae President Lee Jae‑Myung announced on February 3 that he will host a meeting on Wednesday, February 5, 2026, at the presidential office to address youth hiring and regional investment, underscoring the administration’s priority on these issues [1]. The gathering will bring together heads and senior executives from the nation’s ten largest conglomerates, signaling a broad private‑sector commitment to the agenda. By publicly setting the agenda, the office aims to demonstrate concrete governmental leadership on youth unemployment and economic disparity.
Top Chaebol Executives Including Samsung’s Lee Jae‑yong Confirm Attendance Representatives from Samsung Electronics, SK, Hyundai Motor Group, LG Group, Lotte and other leading chaebols have confirmed they will attend, reflecting the breadth of corporate involvement [1]. Samsung’s de facto leader Lee Jae‑yong is among the confirmed participants, highlighting the significance of the dialogue for the country’s largest firms. Their presence indicates willingness to engage directly with policy makers on labor and investment strategies.
President Will Urge Firms to Create Jobs for Young Workers Lee is expected to press companies to expand employment opportunities for recent graduates and other young job‑seekers, aiming to reduce the nation’s youth unemployment rate [1]. The president will also call for increased capital spending in regions outside Seoul, encouraging firms to locate factories and research centers in provincial areas. This dual focus seeks to balance job creation with more equitable regional development.
Meeting Follows Prior Session with Foreign Business Chambers similar summit held the previous week invited leaders of overseas business groups, where Lee also requested expanded youth hiring and greater investment beyond the capital [1]. The back‑to‑back meetings illustrate a coordinated strategy to align both domestic and foreign corporate actors with the government’s economic objectives. The continuity suggests the administration is building a comprehensive coalition across the business community.
2025 Photo Highlights Ongoing Government‑Business Dialogue photograph from June 13, 2025 shows Lee standing with chairs Koo Kwang‑mo (LG), Lee Jae‑yong (Samsung), Euisun Chung (Hyundai) and Shin Dong‑bin (Lotte), underscoring the sustained engagement between the presidency and chaebol leadership [1]. The image reinforces the narrative of an enduring partnership aimed at tackling structural labor market challenges. It also serves as visual evidence of the administration’s long‑term commitment to these policy goals.
Timeline
June 13, 2025 – President Lee appears with LG chair Koo Kwang‑mo, Samsung’s Lee Jae‑yong, Hyundai’s Euisun Chung and Lotte’s Shin Dong‑bin in a photo that underscores a year‑long dialogue between the Blue House and the nation’s biggest chaebols, laying groundwork for later policy talks on youth employment and regional investment [1].
Jan 2, 2026 – At a New Year’s gathering of politicians, executives and cultural figures, President Lee declares “national unity is the most important and urgent task” and warns that “turning backs on one another over differences serves no one,” framing unity as essential for inclusive growth [2].
Jan 2, 2026 – Lee calls for a shift away from a Seoul‑centric growth model, stating that “the concentration of capital and skewed opportunities hinder growth and fuel conflict,” and pledges support for venture firms, SMEs and young entrepreneurs to foster shared prosperity [2].
Early Feb 2026 – Lee meets leaders of foreign business chambers at Cheong Wa Dae, urging them to expand youth hiring and invest outside Seoul, a precursor to a domestic summit with Korean conglomerates scheduled for the following week [1].
Feb 5, 2026 – President Lee convenes the top ten Korean conglomerates, including Samsung’s Lee Jae‑yong, at Cheong Wa Dae to press firms to create more jobs for young workers and fund factories in non‑capital regions, signaling a government‑led push to tackle youth unemployment and regional disparity [1].
Feb 5, 2026 – The meeting’s agenda emphasizes corporate responsibility for youth employment and regional investment, with Lee publicly urging companies to increase capital spending outside Seoul, thereby cementing youth jobs and balanced regional development as a national priority [1].