Gyeonggi Province Strengthens Exchange and Cooperation with Virginia, USA

[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] Gyeonggi Province is strengthening exchange and cooperation with the state of Virginia in the United States.

On the afternoon of the 22nd, Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon met with Chap Petersen, a Virginia State Senator, to agree on revitalizing exchanges by resuming the policy council between Gyeonggi Province and Virginia and promoting the dispatch and exchange of public officials.

At the meeting, Governor Kim said, "The Korea-US relationship is the longest-standing alliance, and I believe we must expand cooperation in all areas including politics and diplomacy, economy, investment, and human exchange going forward." He emphasized, "In the past, two policy councils were held between Gyeonggi Province and Virginia but were discontinued. I hope to resume the 3rd policy council to advance cooperation in trade, investment, technology, culture, and human exchange."

He continued, "I hope to strengthen the mutual dispatch agreement between public officials of Gyeonggi Province and Virginia so that the officials can serve as a bridge for cooperation while developing themselves," and suggested, "I hope you, Senator, will directly mention the policy council and public official exchange to the Governor."

In response, Senator Chap Petersen said, "I will write a letter to the Governor tonight immediately (requesting cooperation)," and added, "I believe there are many areas for exchange between Korea and the US, and between Virginia and Gyeonggi Province. Virginia especially has a high proportion of Korean Americans and a long history of exchange with Korea, so there will be many areas where we can assist Gyeonggi Province."

Senator Petersen began his political career as a Fairfax City Council member, served as a state House representative, and is currently serving his fourth term as a state Senator. He was elected as the inaugural chairman of the Korea-US Alliance Foundation in the Americas, which was launched in February.

This meeting was arranged at the suggestion of Choi Tae-eun, chairman of the Korea-US Alliance Foundation in the Americas, who wished to discuss ways to enhance exchange and cooperation between Gyeonggi Province and Virginia.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the sisterhood agreement between Gyeonggi Province and Virginia.

Gyeonggi Province and Virginia signed a sisterhood agreement in April 1997 and have maintained active exchanges such as mutual visits and dispatch of exchange public officials.

In particular, in 2014, the two regions established a policy council to promote regional development and cooperated on big data, bio sectors, and support measures for entering the US market, but exchanges were suspended due to COVID-19.

This year, the two regions have resumed exchanges that were halted due to COVID-19 by discussing the entry of Gyeonggi Province companies into the Mid-Atlantic region, startup exchanges, and mutual visits through the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) Korea office established in February.

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