CJ Group Chair Lee Jay-hyun has kicked off his first European business trip in London as the Korean conglomerate doubles down on food, beauty and entertainment bets across the continent.
The trip, which started on Sept. 9, follows his visits to Saudi Arabia last year and to Japan and the United States earlier this year as part of efforts to expand CJ Group's global presence.
Lee was accompanied by key executives, including Vice Chair Miky Lee, CJ Corp. CEO Kim Hong-ki and CJ ENM CEO Yoon Sang-hyun.
In London, Lee held meetings with experts from think tanks, investment firms and the entertainment sector to explore cooperation opportunities while reviewing European consumer trends and the group’s broader global strategy.
He met with Len Blavatnik, founder of global media and entertainment investment firm Access Industries, the parent of Warner Music and sports OTT platform DAZN, to discuss ways to broaden the reach of Korean content and strengthen platform competitiveness.
He also met with Bronwen Maddox, CEO of Chatham House, to examine the impact of shifting trade dynamics on European markets, and with Oxford professor Jieun Kiaer, a linguist specializing in Korean culture, to review consumption patterns and the growth potential of Korean food and beauty products.
As part of the push, affiliates are ramping up their European bets.
CJ CheilJedang is building a “European K-Food” plant near Budapest that will supply Bibigo dumplings across the continent starting in late 2026, with plans to add Bibigo chicken products.
CJ Olive Young, the beauty and health retailer, has grown its online sales footprint from 16 to 26 countries since 2021. After designating the UK as a strategic market and strengthening localized marketing through a dedicated European team in 2024, its regional sales in the first half of this year surged nearly 180 percent on year.
Lee stressed that accelerating expansion into new territories is essential for CJ to become a leading global company. He told local employees that the group should seize the momentum of the fast-spreading Korean Wave across Europe and establish itself early as a top-tier player.
andreahaneu@heraldcorp.com
