SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — Utah Gov. Spencer Cox met with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol in Seoul today in a historic international trade meeting.
In a press release from Cox’s office, officials said the metting is part of a “broader delegation involving 47 Utah businesses and organizations, underscored the deepening economic and cultural ties between Utah and Korea.”
“The Korean economy, much like Utah’s, has delivered sustained prosperity through innovation and growth,” said Cox. “Through shared values and mutual respect, President Yoon and I are committed to increased collaboration, which we hope will serve as a global example of how two regions can address challenging issues and create lasting positive change.”
Cox, who will be in Asia through Oct. 4 as part of the trade mission, will also visit Tokyo. The trip, according to the governor’s office, “aims to strengthen ties in key industries such as manufacturing, aerospace and defense, life sciences, financial services, and fintech.” The visit is also a follow-up to previous missions to South Korea in 2018 and Japan in 2019, according to Cox’s office.
Cox’s trip is also slated to take him to the University of Utah’s Asian campus in Incheon, South Korea, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year.
The visit also comes as Salt Lake City International Airport and Delta Airlines announced a new nonstop daily flight to Seoul-Incheon International Airport starting in 2025.
The release said the governor and president also reflected on the 21,500 Utahns who fought in the Korean War in the 1950s. Utah is also home to 15,000 Korean Americans. Cox’s office said President Yoon expressed deep respect for the people of Utah and members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.