Provincial Governor Hak-kyu Sohn met about 20 researchers from the IIE and other personnel at a luncheon meeting in Washington D.C. on the 25th (local time).

At this luncheon, talks about the economy and security status of Gyeongggi Province and the relationship with the U.S. were discussed. Sohn explained that there are about 200 American enterprises such as Honeywell, Dupont and Corning, located in Gyeonggi-do.

And that the population of Americans and U.S. troops in Gyeonggi-do sums up to over ten thousands, also almost half of the district itself. As the governor having jurisdiction over Gyeonggi—do, Sohn stressed the importance of the Korean-American relationship and the close cooperation with the American troops stationed in Gyeonggi-do.

And about the relocation of U.S. troops, Sohn requested for a careful consideration onto the issue as he emphasized that “if the security of Korea becomes insecure, the Korean economy and also the economy of Gyeonggi-do itself will be threatened”.

C. Fred Bergsten, Director of IIE and also the former Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for International Affairs and other key officers attended the luncheon.

Institute for International Economics (IIS) is research institution that researches international economy policy. This independent nonpartisan nonprofit private economic institute was established in 1981 and has a reputation of presenting opportune and lucid solutions to not only America itself but also international organizations and policy planners, enterprise personnel, scholars and professional groups all over the world on important international economic issues such as the improvement of the world trade investment financial system and the development of regional economy cooperation.