Governor of Georgia, USA Meets with Hyundai, Kia, and LG Executives

'Night of Georgia' at Conrad Hotel Yeouido, Seoul
Governor Kemp "Thankful for Korean Companies' Investment"
Many Business Leaders Including Hyundai Motor President Jang Jae-hoon Attended

Brian Kemp, Governor of Georgia, USA, who is visiting Korea, met with top executives from Hyundai Motor, Kia, LG, and other Korean companies on the 17th to discuss future business and mutual cooperation plans.

Governor of Georgia Ryan Kemp and his spouse (from left), Jang Jae-hoon, President of Hyundai Motor Company, and Jose Munoz, President of Hyundai Motor America, are attending the Georgia Day event held at Conrad Hotel in Yeouido, Seoul on the afternoon of the 17th, toasting to the future of Georgia and Korea.
Photo by Yonhap News

On the afternoon of the same day, Governor Kemp hosted a 'Night of Georgia' event at the Conrad Hotel in Yeouido, Seoul, inviting executives from domestic companies to express gratitude for their investments in Georgia and to request expanded cooperation.

The event was attended by numerous Hyundai Motor Group CEOs, including Jang Jae-hoon, President of Hyundai Motor, Song Ho-sung, President of Kia, Jose Munoz, Global Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Hyundai Motor, Lee Kyu-seok, President of Hyundai Mobis, Seo Kang-hyun, President of Hyundai Steel, and Yeo Su-dong, President of Hyundai Transys. LG representatives, including Kim Dong-myung, President of LG Energy Solution, as well as executives from Hanwha Q CELLS, SKC, SK On, and CJ Foodville, were also present.

In his welcoming remarks, Governor Kemp stated, "Korean companies have learned from experience that Georgia is a great place to invest, which means opportunities for Georgia's residents and communities," and added, "We sincerely appreciate these investments." He also urged for continued strengthening of cooperation with Korean companies, saying, "Korean companies have become part of the community and have continuously elevated Georgia to a new level."

Georgia organized this event to strengthen cooperative relationships with Korean companies that have bases or significant interest in the region. According to Georgia, Korean companies announced investments exceeding $10 billion and the creation of 12,605 jobs across the state in the last fiscal year alone. In 2023, the total trade volume between Georgia and Korea exceeded $15.8 billion, accounting for 10% of Georgia's total trade volume.

Before attending the event, Jang Jae-hoon, President of Hyundai Motor, told reporters, "Georgia is the region where not only our company but also Korean companies have the largest presence, and it is very important in terms of investment scale," adding, "In that context, discussions will mainly focus on ways to strengthen cooperative relationships."

Regarding the role of the 'Hyundai Motor Group Meta Plant America' (HMGMA) under construction in Georgia, President Jang said, "Electric vehicles are the top priority for now," and added, "Even though there are temporary fluctuations in electric vehicle demand that are different from what was expected, the direction toward electric vehicles is positive."

Earlier, on the 12th, Governor Kemp visited Korea along with Pat Wilson, Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development, state legislators, representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency, the Port Authority, and the Savannah Economic Development Authority. During his visit, he reportedly met not only with key CEOs of Hyundai Motor Group but also with Choi Jae-won, Senior Vice Chairman of SK Innovation, Yoo Jung-joon, Vice Chairman of SK On, and Lee Seok-hee, President of SK On. Hyundai Motor and SK On are currently building a battery plant with an annual capacity of 35 gigawatt-hours (GWh) in Georgia.