Virginia Governor McAuliffe visited Gyeonggi Province on Oct 28 and signed an agreement to establish a policy discussion council between the two regions 

◇ Gyeonggi Governor Nam Kyung-pil and Virginia Governor McAuliffe shake hands at the Gyeonggi-Virginia Agreement for the Establishment of a Policy Consultation Meeting Signing Ceremony held at the Gyeonggi Provincial Government Complex on the morning of October 28,. ⓒ Gyeonggi G-News Yu Je-hun

Gyeonggi Governor Nam Kyung-pil and Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe agreed to establish a six-member joint council that will meet on a regular basis to expand collaborative exchanges between the two regions.

Governor Nam Kyung-pil signed the ‘Gyeonggi-Virginia Agreement for the Establishment of a Policy Consultation Meeting’ with Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe, who visited the Gyeonggi Provincial Government Complex on the morning of October 28.

The signing ceremony was attended by Governor Nam Kyung-pil; Governor Terry McAuliffe; Todd Haymore, Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry in Virginia; Vince Barnett, Vice President, Communications and Promotions at Virginia Economic Development Partnership; Roy Dahlquist, Virginia Economic Development Partnership Managing Director; David Wing, an official from Agriculture and Forestry in Virginia; Kim Gwang-seok, a Korean representative of Fairfax County; and key members of Gyeonggi Province.

Governor Terry McAuliffe’s visit to Gyeonggi Province was made in response to an official invitation extended by Governor Nam Kyung-pil.

Gyeonggi Province and Virginia agreed to organize a 6-member council, consisting of three members from each side, and to hold meetings on a regular basis for mutual collaboration in trade, investment, technology, culture, human exchange, and information and communication.

Gyeonggi Province Assistant Governor for Economy Choi Hyeon-deok and Virginia Commerce and Trade Secretary Maurice Jones, who served as Deputy Secretary for the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, were appointed as joint chairs of the council.

Gyeonggi Province expects that policy discussions and exchanges between the two regions will be further strengthened through the council. The province also hopes to obtain assistance for the Big-Fi Project being promoted by Governor Nam Kyung-pil, particularly given that Virginia is a hub of the data industry through which more than half of the world’s Internet communications are channeled.

◇ Governor Nam Kyung-pil poses for a commemorative photo after signing the agreement with Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe. ⓒ Gyeonggi G-News Yu Je-hun

In his welcoming address, Governor Nam Kyung-pil said, “Governor Terry McAuliffe, who was the first to sign the “East Sea” bill among the fifty states, is imprinted in the minds of people in Korea as a politician who is true to his words and promises.”

“Both Gyeonggi Province and Virginia focus on attracting investments that create jobs. I expect that both sides will capture opportunities to achieve win-win cooperation through this policy discussion agreement,” added Governor Nam.

Governor McAuliffe said, “I’d like to deepen our relations with Gyeonggi Province through this visit. Creating 21^stcentury jobs and cyber jobs are some of the major tasks upon us. I believe this is attainable if the two regions work together.”

“I hope that Virginia canbuild a productive relationship with Gyeonggi Province through this visit. Virginia has maintained close relations with Asia. During the election campaign, I promised to sign the East Sea bill, and I did what I promised. I expect cooperation with Gyeonggi Province in many business areas,” he added. 

Governor Terry McAuliffe came to Korea on the last leg of his tour of four Asian countries including Japan, China, and Hong Kong, which started on October 19. He paid a courtesy visit to Park Geun-hye, the President of the Republic of Korea, on October 27.

Governor Terry McAuliffe, who was sworn in as Governor of Virginia in January this year, promised to include the East Sea appellation together with the Sea of Japan during his election campaign. He attracted attention for becoming the first governor among the fifty states to sign the “East Sea” bill on March 30.

Accordingly, effective July 1, 2014, all textbooks used in public schools of Virginia must include the East Sea appellation together with the Sea of Japan.

Governor McAuliffe has maintained amicable relations with South Korea for about 30 years since working in South Korea in 1993 at the direction of then President Clinton.

◇ Gyeonggi Governor Nam Kyung-pil and Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe pose for a commemorative photo together with officials from Gyeonggi Province and Virginia State at the ‘Gyeonggi-Virginia Agreement for the Establishment of a Policy Consultation Meeting’ Signing Ceremony. ⓒ Gyeonggi G-News Yu Je-hun

ⓒ Gyeonggi G-News | Kim Jin-kyoung jinkyoung_kim@nate.com

http://gnews.gg.go.kr/news/news_detail.asp?number=201410281152017055C052&s_code=C052