SEOUL, June 25 (AJP) - Shinsegae Group Chairman Jung Yong-jin is expected to take the helm of Rockbridge Asia, a new regional branch of the Rockbridge Network -- a powerful conservative political organization closely tied to former United States President Donald Trump and several key figures in his potential second administration.
Multiple sources in South Korea's business and investment banking circles confirmed on Wednesday that Jung has agreed to lead Rockbridge's Asia operations. The new division, based in Seoul, marks the group's first foray into global expansion. Jung's expected appointment is drawing attention amid the Lee Jae-myung administration's efforts to deepen ties with Washington ahead of a possible Trump return.
The Rockbridge Network was founded in 2019 by current U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance and conservative commentator Christopher Buskirk. Known for its close alignment with Trump, the group includes Donald Trump Jr. and a range of high-profile players from Trump's previous administration.
Among them are Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss, who reportedly donated one million dollars' worth of Bitcoin to Trump, as well as technology investor David Sacks and prominent conservative donor Rebekah Mercer.
Also affiliated are current administration officials such as White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Treasury Secretary Scott Besant, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff.
The group's growing influence has attracted financial backing from major U.S. tech figures, including PayPal co-founder Peter Thiel and Tesla CEO Elon Musk.
Rockbridge now aims to expand its political influence abroad, starting with Asia. South Korea has been selected as the hub for the region, with branches also planned in Taiwan and Japan. The expansion is widely viewed as a strategic effort to strengthen ties with U.S. allies in East Asia while building geopolitical leverage against China.
Richard Tsai, chairman of Taiwan's Fubon Group, is expected to lead Rockbridge Taiwan, while Maeda Tadashi, chairman of the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), will head the Japan branch. Jung will oversee the entire regional structure from the Seoul headquarters.
Analysts see Rockbridge's launch in South Korea as highly significant. With the Lee administration expected to engage more actively with U.S. decision-makers on trade, North Korea, and regional security, Jung's leadership could offer a direct channel to key power centers in Washington.
"Chairman Jung has been asked to take on the role at Rockbridge and is carefully considering whether to accept the offer," said one business source familiar with the matter.
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
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