Washington: Shinsegae Group Chairman Chung Yong-jin attended an event marking the launch of a U.S. government-backed training program and met with key U.S. government officials, the South Korean retail conglomerate said Friday.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Foundry School, a partnership between the U.S. State Department and American universities, was launched in Washington on Thursday. Chung attended the launch ceremony at the invitation of U.S. Vice President JD Vance and the State Department.

Chung met with U.S. Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg, who described Shinsegae Group's partnership with U.S. artificial intelligence startup Reflection AI as an important milestone, the group stated. Earlier in March, Shinsegae Group signed a partnership with Reflection AI to pursue a large-scale AI data center project in South Korea.

"As outstanding talent is essential to the development of advanced industries represented by AI, Shinsegae Group will continue to attract and nurture talent through relentless creative innovation," Chung was quoted by the group as saying. The group also mentioned that Chung's invitation to the launch of Foundry School reflects the global network he has built over the years.

Last year, Chung attended a Christmas dinner hosted by Vance, where he met White House officials and business leaders. He also reportedly met with Donald Trump's eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., during the latter's visit to South Korea.