Shinsegae Group Chairman Chung Yong-jin, center, responds to questions from reporters at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Georgia, Saturday (local time). Yonhap

Shinsegae Group Chairman Chung Yong-jin has become the first Korean to officially hold a face-to-face meeting with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump since his reelection last month.

In an interview with Korean reporters at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Saturday (local time), Chung revealed that he had dined with Trump at the president-elect's Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, where they engaged in an in-depth conversation lasting about 10 to 15 minutes.

However, the head of the Korean retail conglomerate declined to disclose what he had discussed with Trump, stating that the president-elect did not mention anything specific regarding Korea.

Chung said he emphasized Korea's resilience in response to a question from reporters on Sunday at Incheon International Airport regarding whether the president-elect or his aides had shown interest in Korea's current situation.

"I asked them to wait and see, reassuring them of Korea's potential," he said.

Chung also exercised caution regarding speculation about his potential role as a bridge between the Korean business community and the incoming U.S. administration, clarifying that the Korean government had not asked him to convey any messages to Trump.

"If the Korean government organizes a delegation (for Trump's inauguration ceremony), I will join," the chairman said.

Initially scheduled to stay at Trump's resort from Tuesday to Wednesday, Chung extended his visit through Saturday.

His U.S. visit was scheduled months earlier at the invitation of Donald Trump Jr., the president-elect's oldest son, who has maintained a close friendship with the Korean businessman due to their religious beliefs as Christians.

Trump Jr. also mentioned Chung's name in August when he visited Seoul to attend the Build Up Korea 2024 conference hosted by young conservatives in Korea.

Chung mentioned discussing various business plans, as well as religious topics, with Trump Jr. and noted that Trump Jr. had introduced him to some of his father's aides.

Refraining from revealing the identities of the individuals he met, Chung confirmed his meeting with Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who was nominated to lead the Department of Government Efficiency under Trump's presidency.

"Musk was not interested in Korea's situation," Chung said.

In June 2019, he was also among the Korean business tycoons who attended a meeting with Trump in Korea. The chairmen of Samsung, Hyundai Motor, SK, Lotte, Hanwha, GS, CJ and Doosan participated in the meeting as well.