Washington: Top U.S. officials, including the commerce and labor secretaries, attended a special event celebrating the successful overseas exhibition of artworks collected by the late Samsung Group Chairman Lee Kun-hee, Samsung Electronics Co. reported Thursday. The event took place at the Arts and Industries Building in Washington and included Samsung's Chairman Lee Jae-yong, his mother Hong Ra-hee, and other family members.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the event was attended by 250 guests, including U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer, Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Euisun Chung, and Michael Kratsios, director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. This gathering of U.S. political officials followed President Donald Trump's announcement of plans to increase tariffs on South Korean imports, which has sparked hopes for future negotiations.

During the event, Lee Jae-yong expressed his honor at showcasing the exhibition in Washington, D.C., emphasizing the cultural connection between the U.S. and South Korea. He also took the opportunity to meet with key political and business officials in the U.S. to strengthen Samsung's global network.

Lee showed appreciation for the veterans of the Korean War, acknowledging the sacrifices made by U.S. troops that contributed to South Korea's prosperity. Historical data indicates that 33,686 U.S. service members lost their lives in the conflict, with 3,737 still missing.

In 2021, Lee's family donated a significant collection of art to the South Korean government, which led to the "Korean Treasures: Collected, Cherished, Shared" exhibition at the Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art. The exhibition, featuring 330 pieces, has drawn 61,000 visitors and will continue its tour to Chicago and London through 2027.