Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon (left) is taking a commemorative photo after signing an MOU with Utah Governor Spencer James Cox at the Gyeonggi Province-Utah MOU signing ceremony held at Hwaseong Haenggung on the 30th of last month.
Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon signed a sisterhood alliance action plan with Spencer James Cox, Governor of Utah, USA, on the 30th of last month at Suwon Hwaseong Haenggung's Yuyeotaek (維與宅), the office of King Jeongjo of the Joseon Dynasty.
According to the action plan, Gyeonggi Province and Utah will strengthen cooperation in various fields such as trade and economy, culture, arts and sports, education, and human exchange.
The two regions established their sisterhood alliance 41 years ago in 1983.
Since then, through agreements such as the Memorandum of Understanding on Economic Cooperation Promotion (1994), the Memorandum of Understanding on Exchange Cooperation Promotion (2000), and the Memorandum of Understanding on Exchange Cooperation Promotion (2018), the cooperation level has now been elevated one step further.
Governor Kim Dong-yeon expressed his expectations, saying, "With the action plan signed today, our cooperation takes a step forward. Through our shared commitment to innovation in key industries such as advanced manufacturing, life sciences, aerospace, and information technology (IT), we will be able to create new opportunities for economic growth in both regions."
Governor Spencer Cox responded, "The sisterhood alliance relationship is somewhat like a marriage relationship. It is a relationship where we can combine each other's strengths and learn from each other's differences. I hope that when future generations look back on us, they will remember that we chose to become stronger together and that we had the humility to learn from each other. I am very proud of the sisterhood alliance with Gyeonggi Province."
Governor Kim Dong-yeon and his spouse, along with the Utah delegation including Governor Spencer Cox, toured Bongsudang (奉壽堂), where King Jeongjo held a 60th birthday celebration for his mother, Lady Hyegyeong Hong.
Following this, the Gyeonggi and Utah delegations moved to Dodamso (the former Gyeonggi Governor's official residence) nearby for a meeting and luncheon.
During the Dodamso meeting, the two governors discussed ways to strengthen cooperation related to startups, education, and tourism exchanges, and agreed to establish a working-level contact channel to concretize the discussions.
Governor Kim Dong-yeon said, "Through the action plan we just signed with the governor, I expect to create more opportunities for cooperation and generate synergy effects."
Governor Spencer Cox announced, "Starting from June next year, there will be a direct flight from Salt Lake City to Korea," and predicted, "I think this will bring about many changes."
Gyeonggi Province spokesperson Kang Min-seok introduced, "Governor Kim Dong-yeon earned his master's and doctoral degrees at the University of Michigan in the United States and worked as a senior policy officer at the World Bank from 2002 to 2005. His English proficiency is fluent, and today he had a free conversation with the Utah governor without an interpreter."
In his English luncheon speech, Governor Kim Dong-yeon greeted the Utah delegation by saying, "In the 1990s, when I studied abroad at the University of Michigan, it was the home of the Detroit Pistons (NBA), but I was a passionate fan of the Utah Jazz's 'Karl Malone' and 'John Stockton,' the best pick-and-roll duo in NBA history," receiving applause from the Utah delegation.
He continued, "Like the dynamic duo Karl Malone and John Stockton of the Utah Jazz, I believe Gyeonggi Province and Utah can also become a power duo in many ways. Through the action plan signed today, we will strengthen cooperation in several key areas such as bio, IT, culture, sports, and education, lead innovation, and develop both regions," he emphasized.
Traditional Korean dishes such as bibimbap, minari clam soft tofu stew, marinated grilled beef ribs, and fried chicken were served at the Dodamso luncheon.
Meanwhile, Governor Kim Dong-yeon and his spouse, along with Governor Spencer James Cox and his spouse, entered at 10 a.m. under the escort of a traditional honor guard dressed in traditional attire. Governor Spencer and his spouse repeatedly exclaimed "Wonderful."
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