Facebook offers investment
Three photos show how three visiting big-name U.S. entrepreneurs changed their behavior on their courtesy visit to President Park Geun-hye after Microsoft founder and philanthropist Bill Gates, in the right photo, got into trouble for shaking hands with President Park with one hand in his pocket in “violation” of Asian etiquette. At left, Facebook Chairman Mark Zuckerberg bows during a handshake at Cheong Wa Dae, Tuesday, while, center, Larry Page, the Google CEO, uses two hands during his visit following Gates. The case was so widely reported that U.S. Forces Korea conducted a cultural sensitivity class informing its members that Gates’ handshake was considered rude. / Yonhap
By Kim Tae-gyu
As President Park Geun-hye in a yellow jacket entered a Cheong Wa Dae meeting room at 10 a.m. sharp Tuesday, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg in a dark blue suit greeted her with a smile.
Zuckerberg did not give a two-handed shake but he did not keep the other hand in his pocket either, probably with the knowledge on a recent controversy ― Microsoft founder Bill Gates came under fire as he shook hands with Park with one hand in his pocket.
After the amiable greetings, Zuckerberg promised to expand the social networking service’s investments in Korea, a country with one of the best network infrastructures in the world.
“It’s a great honor to visit here and I am looking forward to working together and doing a lot more in South Korea,” presidential spokeswoman Kim Haing quoted Zuckerberg as saying.
“We plan to extend our investment in Korea. We have a Facebook office here and will double its size. We also cooperate with many Korean developers.”
Park introduced her administration’s push for a so-called “creative economy,” aimed at boosting the economy and generating jobs via venture start-ups and convergence based on the information technology segment.
“Facebook is well known for the spirit of assuming challenges without fear of failure. We also came up with a scheme to encourage young talented people to take on challenges without fearing failure so that they will be able to set up successful venture firms,” Park said.
She asked for advice on the mission of the government to establish an eco-system where venture start-ups can survive.
In response, Zuckerberg said that Korea is moving in the right direction and stressed the significance of an Internet-led economy.
“According to a recent report of McKinsey & Company, the Internet economy is spearheading more than a fifth of the world’s growth in gross domestic product (GDP),” he said.
Zuckerberg added that he resonates with Korea’s efforts toward a creative economy and its strategies.
This is not the first time for Park to have a face-to-face talk with leaders of the world’s foremost high-tech companies since her inauguration in February. Analysts said that she wants to get clues to better promote a creative economy based on the meetings.
In April, she met Gates and Google founder Larry Page.
Zuckerberg arrived Seoul late Monday.
After meeting with President Park, the 29-year-old met Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jay-yong to discuss cooperation between the two info-tech giants. He left Korea late Tuesday.