PM Chung Un-chan, “I’m quite liberal, more similar to the Democratic Party”

Former Prime Minister Chung in Former Overseas Students’ Eyes

Last Friday, February 3, 7pm I attended the Asia Journalist Association’s quarterly forum, where many journalists and reporters gathered together to listen to Kim Sun-taek, President of Korea Taxpayers Association give a very informative and revealing presentation on the law, media and issues concerning tax evasion and the right of taxpayers. After the presentation, all attendees introduced themselves and discussed the presentation over dinner.

Lisa Witter(left), Former Prime Minister Chung Un-Chan. (PHOTO=KRIS Min)

After the forum, a small group of reporters and staff went to have drinks at a nearby restaurant and were joined by Former Prime Minister Chung Un-chan, who is currently the Chairman of the Commission on Shared Growth for Large and Small Companies. He was very friendly, outgoing and made sure to personally greet everyone. He shared many stories throughout the evening. He had recently come back from a trip to Saudi Arabia, where he spoke at the Sixth Global Competitiveness Forum, calling for more openness and confidence in order to promote entrepreneurship and maintain sustainability. He, thus, shared the essence of shared growth for large and small companies in English for the international participants including myself, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, you go with your friends.”

Chairman Chung also shared 2 lessons that he learned from his mother: 1) not to eat food on the table when out of reach and 2) when invited somewhere, don’t go unless you are asked 3 times. During his years as professor at Seoul National University, he received many offers from companies and the government. However, he turned down most offers. Therefore, when nominated as the president of SNU, an envious colleague commented that Chairman Chung was nominated not because of his excellence, but because the university thought he had a lack of ambition for power and would be very loyal to the university. The university received this impression due to his constant turn down of respectable offers and thus, he attributes becoming president of Seoul National University to his mother.

During the gathering, some reporters were very curious about Chairman Chung’s political views. He stated that his views were quite liberal, more similar to the Democratic Party. As Former Prime Minister Chung used to work with current President Lee Myung-bak, one reporter asked if President Lee was really so stubborn, not heeding advice from his advisers or those around him. Chairman Chung denied this prejudice saying that President Lee usually followed his advice, but also joked that the President also followed many people’s advice.

This was not the first time I’ve met Chairman Chung, but it was my first time meeting in such a cozy setting. I was glad to see Chairman Chung busy working for a good cause. I’m very grateful for the many opportunities AJA provides to attend various conferences, events and gatherings as it helps me to learn and understand more about Korea. банк тарифы рко для юридических лиц