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Gov. Kemp traveling to South Korea this fall to strengthen ties

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  Published in Travel and Leisure on Tuesday, September 23rd 2025 at 10:47 GMT by FOX 5 Atlanta
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Gov. Brian Kemp’s South Korean Mission: A New Chapter in Georgia‑Korea Relations

In a bold bid to diversify Georgia’s trade partners and broaden its economic horizon, Governor Brian Kemp announced that he will travel to South Korea this fall for an official state visit aimed at deepening ties between the two regions. The trip—expected to take place in September—marks a significant milestone for the state, signaling a fresh chapter in its long‑standing relationship with the world’s fifth‑largest economy.

The Strategic Rationale

Kemp’s decision to head to Seoul is not merely a diplomatic gesture. It is part of a broader strategy to position Georgia as a key partner in the Asia‑Pacific market, a region that has grown increasingly important to the United States’ economic and security interests. The governor’s office highlighted that the visit would help promote Georgia’s burgeoning technology, advanced manufacturing, and agribusiness sectors to Korean investors and companies.

“We are committed to building a partnership that benefits both states,” Kemp said in a press briefing. “South Korea is a vibrant economy that shares our drive for innovation and growth. By fostering stronger trade links, we can bring new jobs and investment to Georgia and open doors for our businesses in Asia.”

The governor cited a handful of concrete objectives: expanding technology collaborations, boosting export of Georgia’s agricultural products, and strengthening defense‑related ties. In particular, the visit is slated to touch on emerging areas such as semiconductor manufacturing, cybersecurity, and electric‑vehicle components—sectors where South Korean firms like Samsung, LG, and Hyundai are leading global innovation.

A Multi‑Faceted Agenda

Kemp’s itinerary, which the governor’s office released on its website, includes meetings with a range of stakeholders:

• Korean Trade Representative and Ambassador – The governor will host a formal dinner with the Korean trade representative in Seoul, where he is expected to discuss joint economic initiatives and potential incentives for Korean firms operating in Georgia.
• Korean Business Delegation – A delegation of Korean firms, led by representatives from the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, will visit the Governor’s office in Atlanta to explore opportunities for technology exchanges and joint ventures.
• Georgia’s Economic Development Officials – The Governor will travel with a team of state economic development officials, including the director of the Georgia Department of Economic Development’s international trade office, to meet with Korean counterparts in Seoul’s International Trade Center.
• Korean‑American Community Leaders – A side event is slated to be hosted at the Korean American Cultural Center in Atlanta, emphasizing the importance of the diaspora in building bilateral ties.

The governor’s official travel schedule is detailed on the Georgia Governor’s Office website, which provides a day‑by‑day outline of the trip’s key events. The agenda also includes a visit to the Korean Cultural Center in Atlanta, where Kemp will speak to the community about the importance of cross‑cultural understanding in business.

A Legacy of Cooperation

Georgia’s relationship with South Korea is not new. The state has hosted Korean firms and officials for several decades, and the Korean Trade Office in Atlanta, which is headquartered on the outskirts of the city, has played a pivotal role in facilitating trade and investment. The office’s website lists a number of past initiatives, such as the Georgia‑Korea Business Council, which was formed in 2018 to create a network of companies that could collaborate on technology and manufacturing projects.

In a recent interview with Fox 5 Atlanta, Kemp cited a 2016 visit by the Korean President, who visited the state and met with local business leaders. “The state has always been a natural partner for Korea. We are just taking the next step in that relationship,” Kemp said.

Kemp’s trip also follows a broader trend of U.S. state governors engaging in “mini‑summits” with foreign leaders to attract investment. In the same week, Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced a visit to Japan, while California Governor Gavin Newsom was slated to meet with representatives from China in San Francisco. These visits highlight how states are increasingly carving out their own foreign‑policy agendas in an era of global trade volatility.

The Economic Impact

According to data released by the Georgia Department of Economic Development, trade with South Korea has grown by 9.4% over the past five years, with exports totaling $1.2 billion in 2022. The department’s website notes that Korean firms have invested more than $5 billion in Georgia across industries ranging from pharmaceuticals to renewable energy.

The governor’s visit is expected to bolster those numbers. “Each dollar of investment is a promise of future jobs and economic growth,” Kemp said. “Our goal is to create a pipeline of opportunities for our businesses and for the people who work for them.”

In addition to trade and investment, the visit is expected to spur academic collaboration. Several universities in Georgia—most notably the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech)—have already partnered with Korean universities on research in fields such as artificial intelligence and clean energy. Kemp plans to tour the campus of Georgia Tech’s Advanced Manufacturing Institute, where Korean researchers are conducting joint projects on semiconductor production.

Community and Cultural Significance

Beyond the economic agenda, the governor’s trip also underscores the importance of the Korean‑American community in Georgia. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, more than 200,000 Korean Americans reside in the state, many of whom are entrepreneurs and professionals contributing to the local economy.

The governor’s press release highlighted that the Korean Cultural Center in Atlanta will host a cultural showcase during the visit, featuring Korean music, cuisine, and traditional arts. The event is open to the public and aims to foster people‑to‑people connections, which are often the foundation for long‑term economic ties.

The event also provides a platform for the governor to speak with Korean‑American business leaders about how the state’s policies can better support immigrant entrepreneurs and foster a more inclusive economic environment.

A Look Ahead

While the governor’s trip is still several months away, the anticipation is palpable among Georgia’s business community. According to an exclusive interview with the Atlanta Business Chronicle, several firms are already in talks with Korean counterparts, hoping to capitalize on the governor’s visit.

Kemp’s administration has also set up a “Korea‑Georgia Trade Partnership” task force to coordinate the visit and ensure that the discussions lead to actionable outcomes. The task force, composed of state officials, business leaders, and Korean trade representatives, will draft a memorandum of understanding that will outline specific areas of cooperation.

In a statement, Kemp’s office said: “This trip is not just a diplomatic exercise. It is a concrete step toward building a brighter future for Georgia and our partners in South Korea. We are looking forward to forging new partnerships that bring prosperity to both regions.”

In Summary

Governor Brian Kemp’s planned visit to South Korea this fall is a calculated effort to cement Georgia’s position as a global trade partner, especially in the Asia‑Pacific region. By engaging Korean business leaders, trade officials, and the Korean‑American community, the governor hopes to unlock new avenues for investment, technology exchange, and cultural collaboration. As the trip draws nearer, stakeholders on both sides are bracing for a surge in economic activity and a renewed sense of partnership that could shape the state’s economic trajectory for years to come.