Kim Dong-yeon Sends 'Letter Diplomacy' Over US Sensitive Country Designation... Urges 'Attention' to 10 Governors

Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon, who sent letters to major foreign leaders last year following President Yoon Seok-yeol's emergency martial law incident, has once again sent letters to local governors in the United States regarding the designation of 'sensitive countries' by the U.S. Department of Energy.

According to Gyeonggi Province on the 22nd, Governor Kim sent letters on the same day to governors of 10 U.S. regions with exchanges, including Utah, Virginia, Florida, Texas, Michigan, California, Arizona, Washington, New York, and Arkansas, as well as to the mayor of San Diego and Gary Cohn, former chairman of the U.S. National Economic Council and IBM Vice Chairman, urging attention to the sensitive country designation and strengthening cooperation between the two regions.

In the letter, Governor Kim mentioned Korea's inclusion on the sensitive country list, stating, "The two governments are in close consultation, and the new restrictions will not affect our partnership," and requested, "I believe this issue will be resolved swiftly, and I hope you will take an interest in it."

Gyeonggi Provincial Government

He continued, "Gyeonggi Province is the economic and industrial hub of Korea, cooperating with numerous American companies in key industries such as semiconductors, biotechnology, renewable energy, and advanced manufacturing," emphasizing, "The economic and technological partnership with state governments will become stronger through firm trust and mutual benefits."

Governor Kim has consistently demonstrated 'crisis management leadership' amid unstable domestic and international situations. On the day after the December 3 martial law, he sent 'urgent letters' to foreign heads of state and key figures worldwide to explain Korea's stability and economic resilience.

He also met consecutively with the U.S. Ambassador to Korea and representatives of economic organizations to reaffirm the Korea-U.S. alliance and foreign investment trust, and in January attended the Davos Forum to deliver the message 'Trust in Korea!' to global leaders.

Governor Kim is expected to continue diplomatic efforts to build trust with the international community and strengthen economic cooperation by holding meetings with ambassadors from major countries including the U.S., foreign chambers of commerce, and representatives of foreign investment banks and companies.