Kim Dong-yeon Meets Arizona Governor: "Expecting Cooperation in Advanced Industries like Semiconductors and Mobility"

Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon is discussing cooperation plans between the two regions with Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs at the Seoul Finance Center on the 22nd.

Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon met with Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs to exchange various opinions on advanced industries such as semiconductors and mobility, as well as youth ladder programs between Gyeonggi Province and Arizona.

On the 22nd, Governor Kim met Governor Katie Hobbs at the Seoul Finance Center and said, "Gyeonggi Province is the largest local government in South Korea in terms of population and economic scale, hosting 64% of semiconductor companies, and has advanced industries such as batteries and mobility. We believe that economic cooperation based on an innovation alliance with Arizona can be pursued," adding, "Through cooperation on youth ladder projects, we hope to facilitate human exchanges with several excellent universities in Arizona."

In response, Governor Katie Hobbs said, "It is an honor to meet Governor Kim Dong-yeon and discuss opportunities for economic cooperation between our regions," and added, "Based on our common focus on innovation and fostering advanced industries, I look forward to exploring economic cooperation and enhancing trade relations."

Following Governor Kim’s proposal, "If I have another opportunity to visit Korea, I would like to invite you to Suwon, where tradition and modernity blend, and to Pangyo Techno Valley, Korea’s Silicon Valley," Governor Hobbs added, "I look forward to meeting again and continuing to develop our relationship."

Until now, there had been no exchange relationship between Gyeonggi Province and Arizona, making this the first meeting between the heads of the two local governments.

This meeting was arranged during Governor Hobbs’ visit to Korea to open the Arizona State Trade Office in Korea and to promote investment attraction and economic exchanges.

Despite a busy schedule, Governor Hobbs spent about an hour meeting with Governor Kim, reportedly maintaining a warm and friendly atmosphere throughout the conversation.

Notably, during her visit to Korea, Governor Hobbs met with Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and numerous business leaders to discuss ways to enhance cooperation. Among domestic politicians, Governor Kim Dong-yeon was the only one to meet with her.

Governor Kim also held a meeting with Ron DeSantis, Governor of Florida, who visited Korea in April, and was the only domestic politician to discuss economic cooperation measures with him.

Arizona, located in the southwestern desert region of the United States, is gaining fame as the "silicon desert," reminiscent of California’s Silicon Valley. Phoenix, Tucson, and Glendale in Arizona form innovation clusters densely populated with technology companies, where advanced industry research in semiconductors, AI, and IT is actively conducted. Arizona is promoting regional economic revitalization through low tax rates and deregulation.

Gyeonggi Province and Arizona are both centers of advanced industries such as semiconductors and secondary batteries, focusing their capabilities on developing innovative technologies. They plan to establish a new exchange relationship based on these commonalities. Starting with this meeting, they expect to continue economic cooperation based on the regional characteristics of both areas and to create synergy effects through an innovation alliance.

Meanwhile, since taking office, Governor Kim Dong-yeon has been exchanging with governors of Michigan, Florida, Virginia, and Washington in the United States, strengthening innovation alliances and cooperation in strategic industries such as eco-friendly mobility, renewable energy, semiconductors, and AI.

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