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East Asia Economic Mission Trip Daily Recap - 10.18.23

10/18/2023

New Jersey and South Korea

SEOUL – Governor Phil Murphy, First Lady Tammy Murphy, and the New Jersey delegation continued the Governor-led Choose New Jersey economic mission in South Korea. The Governor witnessed the highly anticipated Driver’s License Reciprocity Memorandum of Understanding signing and signed a historic friendship agreement with the Mayor of Seoul, Mr. Oh Se-hoon, in a commitment to supporting local small and medium-sized enterprises and startups in the community, while establishing a partnership to build New Jersey’s economic presence in South Korea.

Photo: Governor Murphy and South Korean colleagues are showing signed agreement

Governor Murphy and the New Jersey Delegation Attend PSEG Supplier Ceremony

Governor Murphy and the New Jersey delegation, alongside Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated (PSEG) Chair, President, and CEO Ralph LaRossa, attended a signing of a Certificate of Recognition with PSEG and energy and manufacturing companies Cheryong Electric and Taihan Cable and Solution. The event highlighted the bilateral relationship between New Jersey and South Korea, including mutual job creation and cross-border trade. The Korean suppliers provided essential components, transformers and distribution cables, to PSEG amid global supply chain disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic. LaRossa, Cheryong Electric Executive Vice President Jinho “Zino” Lee, and on behalf of Taihan, Hoban Group Chairman Sunkyu Kim gave remarks and expressed gratitude for the partnership. 

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Photo: First Lady Tammy Murphy Speaking with South Korean colleagues during the conference

First Lady Tammy Murphy Speaking Engagement & Meeting at Sogang University

First Lady Tammy Murphy attended a speaking engagement at Sogang University, where she met with the top students at the Institute of American Studies. The First Lady then met with Sogang University President, Mr. Luke Sim Jong-hyeok, to discuss social issues and the benefits of students continuing their higher education in New Jersey.

Photo: Governor Murphy and South Korean colleagues are posing for a picture with signed agreement

Governor Murphy, New Jersey Delegation, the South Korea National Police Agency, and New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission Driver’s License Reciprocity Memorandum of Understanding Signing

Governor Murphy and the New Jersey delegation attended the long-anticipated Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing between the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission and South Korea National Police Agency to establish driver’s license reciprocity. The agreement simplifies the process for citizens of both New Jersey and South Korea to quickly obtain and use driver’s licenses between the respective regions. The MOU was a high priority for the Korean Consulate and is a significant cultural event between New Jersey and South Korea, as New Jersey has the third largest South Korean-born population in the United States.

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Photo: Governor Murphy and South Korean colleagues are showing signed agreement with USA and Japan flags in the background

Governor Murphy, New Jersey Delegation Witness Memorandums of Understanding Signing Between Rutgers University and Seoul National University, New Jersey Institute of Technology and Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute, and Kean University and Soongsil and Sumyung Universities

Governor Murphy and the New Jersey delegation witnessed the signing of four memorandums of understanding between top New Jersey and Korean research universities. The first between Rutgers University and Seoul National University (SNU) in Seoul, the second between New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) and Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute (KASI), and a third and fourth between Kean University and Soongsil University and Sangmyung University, respectively. The agreements expand upon previously existing partnerships that promote research opportunities and exchange programs. Remarks were given by Anthony Calcado, Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer at Rutgers, Ryu Hong Lim, President of Seoul National University, Teik Lim, President of NJIT, and In-Sook Yuk, Vice President of KASI.

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Photo: First Lady Tammy Murphy and South Korean collogues are standing and showing signed agreement

First Lady Tammy Murphy Witnesses Memorandum of Understanding Signing, Tours Yangcheon-gu Community Health Center

First Lady Tammy Murphy witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Yangcheon-gu Maternal and Child Health Promotion Center and the New Jersey Economic Development Authority. The MOU signing and tour highlight both the First Lady’s work in creating equitable, better quality maternal health care in New Jersey and gave insight into Korea’s public policies and systems related to maternal and child health.

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Photo: Governor Murphy is giving a speech at the conference fir South Korean colleagues

New Jersey Delegation Presents at Seoul Startup Hub Event

The New Jersey delegation visited Seoul Startup Hub to meet with Korean startups and witness a Memorandum of Understanding signing between VentureLink@NJIT and the Korea Accelerator Association (KAA) and the Korea Early Stage Investors Association (KESIA). Tim Crouch, Chief Strategy Officer for Choose New Jersey, and Bill Noonan, Chief Business Development Officer for Choose New Jersey, presented on New Jersey’s key sectors and business opportunities. Other speakers included Jung-hee Ryu, CEO of Futureplay & Director of KESIA;  Aaron Price, CEO, TechUnited NJ; Seong-Hyun Kong, Executive Secretary, KAA; Seoung gon Park, Head of KESIA; Josh Choi, Director, KSF. 

Photo: Governor Murphy and South Korean colleagues are showing a signed agreement

Governor Murphy Meets, Signs Friendship Agreement with Mayor of Seoul Mr. Oh Se-hoon

Governor Murphy and the New Jersey delegation were joined by Tim Sullivan, Chief Executive Officer of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, to meet with Seoul Mayor Mr. Oh Se-hoon. The Governor signed a bilateral friendship agreement, establishing a formal economic relationship with the city of Seoul and committing to supporting the community’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and startups while promoting fair competition. The New Jersey Department of State and the International Relations Division of the Seoul Metropolitan Government will work together to create opportunities for New Jersey and Seoul businesses to establish a presence within the respective territories.

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Governor Murphy Meets with President Yoon Suk Yeol of the Republic of Korea

Governor Murphy and First Lady met with President Yoon Suk Yeol of the Republic of Korea at the Yongsan Presidential Office. Governor Murphy is the first sitting Governor of New Jersey to visit the Republic of Korea. 

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the alliance between America and South Korea. During this meeting, the Governor spoke to the longstanding relationship with South Korea, highlighting that in the seven decades since the Korean War ended, our alliance has been a force for peace and prosperity across the globe. 

Photo: First Lady Tammy Murphy and South Korean collogues are posing for a picture

Governor Murphy, First Lady Tammy Murphy, and New Jersey Delegation Attend FKI Reception and Networking Event

Governor Murphy, First Lady Tammy Murphy, and the New Jersey delegation attended the Federation of Korean Industries (FKI)  Reception and Networking Event following their meeting with FKI Chairman Jin Roy Ryu. During the event the Governor, First Lady, and the New Jersey delegation created relationships with key stakeholders to forge strategic alliances to pursue New Jersey’s economic and academic goals with Korea’s top companies and institutions. 

Governor Murphy, First Lady Tammy Murphy Attend Dinner with Foreign Minister Park Jin

Governor Murphy and First Lady Tammy Murphy concluded Day Five of the Governor-led economic mission by attending a dinner hosted by Minister of Foreign Affairs of South Korea Park Jin. Please visit choosenj.com/EastAsiaMission to learn more and follow coverage of the historic Governor-led economic mission to East Asia.

Members of the media may access photos from the trip here, courtesy of Kevin Sanders at the New Jersey Globe.