○ Governor Dong Yeon Kim’s third official meeting with Thailand’s Minister of Labor on May 15
○ Discussions centered on expanding cooperation with Thailand, a key ASEAN partner, amid growing global uncertainty

Gyeonggi Province Governor Dong Yeon Kim met with Thai Labor Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn at Dodamso, Gyeonggi’s official gubernatorial residence, on May 15. The meeting was organized to discuss ways to strengthen cooperation with Thailand—a major trading partner and central player in ASEAN—amid increasing international uncertainty.

Governor Kim welcomed the minister’s visit, stating, “This is my third meeting with Minister Phiphat. In Korea, we say the first meeting is coincidence, the second is inevitability, and the third is fate. I’m thrilled to have built such a meaningful connection with the minister.”

He added, “Thailand is a vital partner for both South Korea and Gyeonggi Province. In today’s turbulent international climate, relationships with trustworthy partners who share our views are more important than ever. Thailand, in particular, is the center of the Indochina Peninsula, ASEAN’s second-largest economy, and an outstanding, dependable partner.”

“When I served as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance, I chaired the ASEAN finance ministers’ meeting and took the initiative in promoting Korea’s New Southern Policy. I have always prioritized and expanded cooperation with ASEAN countries, including Thailand, and my commitment remains unchanged,” Governor Kim recalled. He asserted, “As Governor of Gyeonggi Province, I continue to emphasize the importance of partnerships with ASEAN nations.”

Gyeonggi Province considers Thailand to be an economic center of ASEAN and a key cooperation partner. The province operates the Gyeonggi Business Center (GBC) in Bangkok and supports local companies entering the Thai market through events such as G-Fair and the K-Beauty Expo. In April 2024, the Gyeonggi Tourism Organization became the first regional tourism organization in Korea to establish a representative office in Thailand.

Governor Kim stated, “Thai residents living in Gyeonggi Province are valued neighbors and members of our community. We will continue to treat them with care and respect.” He continued, “Gyeonggi’s establishment of Korea’s first Immigrant Society Bureau is a meaningful first step toward deepening our partnership with Thailand. We will continue to explore and implement closer and more practical cooperation.”

Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn responded, “Being able to meet three times shows that we are not just partners, but friends… Diplomatic relations between Korea and Thailand have lasted around 60 years. I ask for your continued interest and support for Thai nationals, not only those working in Gyeonggi Province.”

Minister Phiphat was in Korea to attend the APEC Employment and Labor Ministers’ Meeting in Jeju, and this was his third meeting with Governor Kim.

The two first met in 2023, when Phiphat served as Thailand’s Minister of Tourism and Sports, discussing ways to promote tourism exchanges on the 65th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Korea and Thailand, as well as the 2023–2024 Mutual Visit Years. Their second meeting took place in March 2024, following Phiphat’s appointment as Minister of Labor. They signed a Record of Decision (ROD) covering key issues such as visa conversions for skilled workers to expand Thai employment opportunities in Korea, and strategies to manage workforces and prevent illegal residency.

Currently, approximately 58,000 Thais reside in Gyeonggi Province, accounting for roughly 30% of all Thai nationals living in Korea. Around 13,000 of them work in industrial fields.

To strengthen its foreign resident policies, Gyeonggi Province established Korea’s first Immigration and Social Affairs Bureau at a provincial level in July 2023. Gyeonggi also introduced a Comprehensive Plan for Immigration Policies for 2025–2027, focusing on stabilizing foreign workers’ employment, supporting their settlement, improving working conditions, and protecting fundamental rights, among other initiatives.

Moreover, Gyeonggi Province is laying the foundation for longer-term stays of foreign workers through its “Gyeonggi Regional Visa Pilot Project” and attracting skilled foreign labor, helping to alleviate manpower shortages for local businesses.