Kim Dong-yeon Meets New York Governor with Four Proposals... Climate Change, Startups, AI, and More

Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon (right) is shaking hands with New York Governor Kathy Hochul on the 17th (local time).

Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon visited New York State and achieved substantial results including joint responses to climate change, establishing startup cooperation, strengthening collaboration with artificial intelligence (AI) companies, and signing a friendly cooperation memorandum of understanding (MOU).

On the 17th (local time), Governor Kim met with New York Governor Kathy Hochul and explained Gyeonggi Province’s policies, saying, "In Korea, I am known as the ‘Climate Governor’ because I am strongly leading efforts to respond to climate change," and added, "We are working to close gaps including the ‘Climate Divide,’ where vulnerable groups suffer due to climate tech and climate crises."

He continued, "Last year, when I met former Vice President Al Gore, I used the term ‘Climate Divide,’ and I understand that you, Governor, have created the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), which ensures that more than 35% of the benefits from clean energy and energy efficiency programs go to regions and groups severely affected by climate change," and proposed, "I hope New York State and Gyeonggi Province can cooperate to play a meaningful role in the international community."

Governor Kathy Hochul repeatedly expressed agreement by saying "YES" and then detailed her state’s policies, stating, "We have set very ambitious solar power goals and are introducing the largest offshore wind power grid in the United States, with ongoing investments," and added, "We are also working hard every day on challenging goals such as battery storage, electrification of buildings, and the introduction of electric vehicles by 2035."

Regarding startups, Governor Kim said, "New York is known as a cradle of startups, comparable to Silicon Valley, often referred to as the ‘Startup Genome,’" and added, "Gyeonggi Province has 30% of all startups in South Korea, and a place called Pangyo is called the ‘Korean Silicon Valley.’ I hope to foster startup cooperation through various forums, expos, mutual exchanges, and promotional events between New York City and Gyeonggi Province."

He also said, "Tomorrow, I will attend an event called the ‘New York NYC Startup Summit (Korea Startup Forum New York)’ with 22 Gyeonggi Province startups, where over 500 startups and more than 30 venture capitalists will participate. My pledge is to make Gyeonggi Province a ‘startup paradise.’ The most important purpose of this visit is to seek partnerships between American startups and Gyeonggi Korean startups."

Governor Kathy Hochul responded, "(Startups) are mutually beneficial," and said, "I don’t know about Gyeonggi Province, but startups in New York State face many challenges such as labor shortages. There are also issues related to capital and power supply. Having forums like the ones you mentioned, where startups can interact and exchange stories as if ‘acting as matchmakers,’ is very important. We also have things to learn from Gyeonggi Province."

Regarding AI, Governor Kim said, "Gyeonggi Province is the most advanced in the AI field in Korea. I understand that you, Governor, are actively promoting AI, and we also opened the ‘Gyeonggi AI Campus’ this month," and added, "I hope to further strengthen AI cooperation and corporate collaboration between Gyeonggi Province and New York State."

Governor Kathy Hochul said, "Our team will ensure smooth progress," and added, "I believe there is great synergy in cooperation between the two regions not only in semiconductors but also in AI industries and other fields."

Governor Kim also proposed, "Since Gyeonggi Province is the industrial center of Korea and New York is the center of the United States, I hope to establish an MOU for regular communication and cooperation in advanced industries, education, and various other areas."

Gyeonggi Province and New York State had been promoting exchange cooperation since 2020 but suspended discussions due to the COVID-19 outbreak. This meeting is expected to mark the beginning of practical cooperation with New York State.

After the meeting with the New York Governor, Governor Kim began supporting the global market entry of startups in the province.

Governor Kim attended a business agreement ceremony between the Gyeonggi Economic Science Promotion Agency and the United Korean Founders (UKF), saying, "The CEOs of the 22 startups from Gyeonggi Province are much younger than I expected. I feel energized and empowered," and reiterated, "I will make Gyeonggi Province a startup paradise."

Meanwhile, for the meeting with Governor Kathy Hochul, Governor Kim wore a custom blue tie, as Governor Hochul is the first female governor of New York State and a member of the Democratic Party. In contrast, when he met with Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin yesterday, he wore a red-toned tie because Governor Youngkin is a Republican. Meeting influential politicians from both the Democratic and Republican parties on consecutive days, Governor Kim carefully considered even the color of his tie as part of his ‘sales diplomacy.’

Gyeonggi Province spokesperson Kang Min-seok introduced, "Today, Governor Kathy Hochul left Albany, the capital of New York State, and came to New York City where Governor Kim Dong-yeon is carrying out his schedule to hold talks."