Ahn Cheol-soo Meets AmCham Chairman: "Korea-US Alliance as an 'Ultra-gap Science and Technology Alliance'"

Special Meeting Hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea

"Making Korea the Best Country for American Companies to Invest"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] Ahn Cheol-soo, the presidential candidate of the People’s Party, stated on the 9th that "the Korea-US alliance, an eternal alliance for economic prosperity and world peace, must develop into a 'super-gap science and technology alliance.'"

On the afternoon of the same day, Ahn met with James Kim, chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea (AmCham), at the Four Seasons Seoul Hotel and made these remarks. The meeting was attended by over 40 representatives of American companies, including AmCham board members. Participating companies included 3M Korea, GE Korea, Kim & Chang Law Firm, Morgan Stanley, MSD Korea, Northrop Grumman, PersolKelly, Pfizer Korea, Philip Morris Korea, Qualcomm Korea, Inspire Resort, Samil Accounting Corporation, and Subway, among others. AmCham is holding meetings with presidential candidates ahead of next month’s election.

Ahn emphasized the need to strengthen the Korea-US science and technology alliance. He said, "To address economic polarization and deepening inequality, carbon neutrality, and infectious disease response, the Korea-US alliance must promote scientific and technological exchange and global cooperation," adding, "The two countries must cooperate across all sectors including infrastructure, products, components, and services to protect the lives and property of citizens and ensure the free economic activities and industries of companies."

Through his discussion with Chairman Kim, Ahn also highlighted the importance of foreign investment. He promised, "Through negative regulation (lifting all regulations except specified ones), we will promote new businesses, new products, and new business models, and create a corporate environment that meets global standards," and added, "We will expand labor flexibility and stability, as well as flexible working systems, encourage competition among major cities to attract American companies, and provide customized research and development (R&D) and high-level personnel support for foreign-invested companies." He further stated, "We will strengthen joint responses with the United States in the process of new global economic cooperation and supply chain restructuring to make South Korea the most attractive country for investment by American global companies." Ahn also engaged in in-depth discussions on global issues such as ESG (environment, social, governance) and gender wage gap improvement.

Chairman Kim responded, "We expect Ahn to play an important role in formulating policies to promote foreign direct investment and make Korea the Asian regional headquarters for companies," and said, "Active support from the Korean government is essential for the R&D investment needed to realize Ahn’s vision for core strategic industries such as digital transformation, 5G, and biopharma, and now is the right time to have these discussions."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.