Promotes Collaboration in International Commerce, Economic Development, Carbon Neutrality, Agriculture, the Arts and Culture, Tourism, and Education
Will Deliver Keynote Address at Jeju Forum for Peace and Prosperity Tomorrow
ANNAPOLIS, MD—To kick off his economic development mission to Korea and Japan, Governor Larry Hogan was joined today by Governor Oh Young-hun of Jeju Province in the Republic of Korea to sign an agreement of friendship and cooperation that strengthens bilateral ties between the two regions. Through the new strategic partnership, the State of Maryland and Jeju will pursue mutually beneficial cooperation in the areas of international commerce, economic development, carbon neutrality, agriculture, the arts and culture, tourism, and education.
“I have always believed in the importance of looking outside of Maryland’s borders to build productive and mutually beneficial international partnerships,” said Governor Hogan. “I can think of no stronger ally than the Republic of Korea, and no better place to continue building those new partnerships than right here in Jeju Province.”
The memorandum of understanding seeks to promote information sharing, best practices, and policy initiatives between Maryland and Jeju. Long-term goals of the agreement include intergovernmental visits and delegations involving policymakers, academic institutions, and businesses, and joint participation in seminars, workshops, and meetings to raise awareness of potential new economic development opportunities.
During the ceremony, Governor Oh awarded Governor Hogan with honorary citizenship of Jeju Province. Tomorrow, Governor Hogan will deliver remarks at the opening ceremony of the Jeju Forum for Peace and Prosperity, a global summit launched in 2001 to discuss international issues.
Jeju Province, located south of the Korean mainland, is one of the nine provinces that make up the Republic of Korea and the only special self-governing province.
The governor’s trade mission comes at a time of escalating tensions between North and South Korea. The South Korean government recently warned that the North Korean regime is headed down “a path of self-destruction” after it codified its right to launch nuclear weapons preemptively.
-###-
