○ Governor Dong Yeon Kim met with Governor Mike Dunleavy to discuss cooperation in the areas of economy, climate response, and tourism development.
○ The two leaders agreed to work together to further strengthen the Korea-U.S. alliance as a mutually beneficial partnership.

On March 25, Gyeonggi Province Governor Dong Yeon Kim met with Alaska State Governor Mike Dunleavy at The Plaza Hotel in Seoul to explore opportunities for bilateral cooperation in various areas including energy, climate response, and tourism.

The two leaders held wide-ranging discussions on practical avenues for cooperation, including LNG development projects, climate technology exchange, and joint development of tourism content between Gyeonggi and Alaska. They shared the view that the Korea-U.S. alliance should evolve beyond security cooperation to also encompass economic mutual benefits. Gyeonggi Province expressed hopes that this meeting would serve as a foundation for sustainable exchange and collaboration based on mutual trust and solidarity between the two regions.

Governor Kim stated, “Alaska is emerging as a key player in the global energy strategy. I hope we can develop a cooperative model that delivers tangible benefits to both Korea and the U.S. as well as to Gyeonggi Province and Alaska.”

Governor Dunleavy responded, “The LNG project has been a long-standing aspiration for Alaska. President Trump is committed to pursuing negotiations that prioritize mutual benefit over disadvantage to allies.”

Governor Kim remarked, “It feels as though I’m speaking directly with President Trump. Thank you for the detailed explanation.” He added, “The Korea-U.S. alliance has remained strong, and it should continue to develop into an even stronger partnership that brings mutual benefit.” He concluded by saying, “Given the importance of Korea-U.S. economic cooperation, I ask that influential and capable leaders like yourself take a continued interest and active role in matters such as the designation of sensitive countries and tariff negotiations.”

Located in the northwestern region of North America, the State of Alaska is not only known for its vast natural environment but is also a key area in U.S. energy policy, being a major producer of oil and natural gas. It also has well-developed industries such as fisheries, tourism, forestry, and mining. With Alaska’s political stature rising in recent years, Governor Mike Dunleavy visited Korea for meetings with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy, following President Trump’s mention of potential investment from Korea and Japan in Alaska’s LNG development project.

Governor Dunleavy (R) is the first governor in Alaska’s history to be re-elected. He is regarded as a key figure in shaping the energy policy of a potential second Trump administration. In particular, the Alaska LNG development project is a long-standing priority for Governor Dunleavy and is expected to gain further momentum with the support of the Trump administration.

This meeting also aligns with Gyeonggi Province’s recent diplomatic efforts, including sending official letters regarding the designation of sensitive countries. Governor Kim has previously emphasized to ten U.S. states and IBM Vice Chairman Gary Cohn that Korea’s designation as a sensitive country by the U.S. Department of Energy should not hinder cooperation between the two governments. His efforts reflect a proactive stance by local governments to complement national foreign policy and respond swiftly to issues concerning economic security. This type of diplomatic initiative illustrates how local governments are evolving beyond their administrative roles to become active and strategic partners in global affairs.

In particular, with the central government’s foreign and trade policies in a state of transitional uncertainty, Gyeonggi Province is stepping up to fill the gap by demonstrating practical diplomatic leadership and pioneering new channels of international cooperation. This move goes beyond friendly exchange and underscores the growing role of the province as a substantive actor in foreign affairs.

Furthermore, the recent meeting was part of Gyeonggi Province’s ongoing global trend analysis policy, led by its International Cooperation Bureau. The province is continuously developing global strategies by analyzing the core interests and needs of regions around the world, aiming to create practical, mutually beneficial cooperation opportunities with Gyeonggi Province and the Republic of Korea.