The event coincided with the 2024 Saigon Beauty Show, Vietnam’s largest beauty exhibition, raising the profile of K-beauty brands.

The K-Beauty Expo, held in Vietnam for the fourth time since 2020, featured 60 booths representing 60 beauty companies from Gyeonggi Province. K-beauty products including cosmetics, nails, hair, body care, fragrance, ingredients, fitness, spa and functional cosmetics and more were showcased to 6,496 Vietnamese visitors.

Gyeonggi Province and KINTEX supported booth participation fees and interpretation services for participating Gyeonggi companies and arranged consultations with buyers from 230 companies, achieving export consultations valued at USD 45 million.

Support was provided to promote the brands/products on local official social media sites, and export consultations were held with invited local buyers in collaboration with the KOTRA Ho Chi Minh Trade Center.

NSL Co, Ltd, which sells skin care products (basic cosmetics and cleansing products), had a total of 15 consultations with major buyers at the event, establishing a bridgehead for developing its Southeast Asian market. Speaking about their participation, a company representative said, “This is the first time we have participated in an overseas beauty exhibition, but there were more visitors than we expected and many buyers interested in exclusive contracts… The Gyeonggi-supported interpreter also worked hard at the booth for three days, which contributed to the good results, and we will definitely participate again next time.”

“The high level of interest has confirmed the potential of Gyeonggi Province’s beauty companies to successfully enter Vietnam… We will continue to expand overseas sales channels for small and medium-sized beauty enterprises through various support measures,” said Kim Seong-beom, Director of the Bio-Industry Division of Gyeonggi Province.

The K-Content Intellectual Property Convergence Production Support Project has been propelled by Gyeonggi Province since 2023. Its aim is to help small and medium-sized content production companies in the province strengthen their competitiveness through the discovery of successful models of multifaceted convergence with cutting-edge technologies and various genres and industries using superior intellectual property (IP).

This year’s event saw the participation of seven of Korea’s top IP conglomerates – Kakao Entertainment, Naver Webtoon, Hyundai Department Store, YG PLUS, SAMG Entertainment, Smart Study Ventures and Smilegate – up from five last year. Six new companies also participated as test beds for the 12 completed convergence IPs, as well as demonstration and distribution outlets to expand exhibition opportunities.

The event featured SAMG Entertainment’s popular animation “Catch! Tiny Ping,” Naver Webtoon’s “No Home,” Kakao Entertainment’s “Acorn Culture Center,” Hyundai Department Store’s character “Whitey,” YG PLUS’ “Crunk,” Smilegate’s meta-human “Han Yoo-ah” and other popular IP, including realistic content, merchandise and music videos. The performance exhibition, which runs simultaneously in four areas on the first floor of Starfield Suwon, provides a space to experience and enjoy this content.

Of particular note, “KIP Festa: Route Exploration” will present a new route for the content IP sector, enabling visitors to complete missions and win various prizes by visiting each exhibition space in turn.

As part of the event, a presentation of the outcomes will be held on November 15 (Friday) at the Megabox theater on the 7th floor of Starfield Suwon. The small and medium content producers involved in the 12 funded projects will share their stories of how they were able to shape their ideas and bring them to market. There will also be group discussions and networking sessions with key partners and participants sharing their visions.

“This presentation is not just a content exhibition, but the first to showcase a total of 12 convergence outcomes using the intellectual property rights of small and medium-sized content production companies, as well as the results of cooperation and symbiosis between large and small companies… Gyeonggi Province will continue to maintain a triangular formation with large and small content production companies so that creative ideas can lead to the strengthened competitiveness of K-content,” said Kang Ji-sook, Director of the Content Industry Division of Gyeonggi Province.

This forum, hosted by Gyeonggi Province and organized by Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, was designed to help medical industry companies in the province develop strategies for international certification and successfully enter the global market.

Domestic and international medical device and digital healthcare experts and company representatives shared various cases and explored certification procedures in major American, European and Asian markets, as well as strategic cooperation plans for companies to expand overseas.

Specifically, the event saw the discussion of the following topics: K-bio in the global spotlight and realizing full-fledged growth (Amazon Korea representative); overseas expansion strategies of domestic medical device companies (including digital healthcare companies; Samjeong KMPG Director Choi Yoo-jin); medical device expansion strategies in China and Southeast Asia (Korea Testing & Research Institute Director Jang Dong-hyeok); overseas expansion experiences and cases of domestic technology-based digital therapeutic devices (Emocog Noh Yoo-heon); and more.

Gyeonggi Province has been promoting its Medical Industry Cooperation Support Project with Bundang Seoul National University Hospital since 2020. The main initiatives include a mentoring program to connect experts one-on-one in key fields (medical, investment, licensing) for technology development, research seminars that enable the sharing of ideas in the medical field among industry stakeholders, forums to share the latest trends in the medical industry’s overseas expansion, and support for clinical trials/analytical tests to evaluate market entry.

“This forum is an important opportunity to strengthen the global development capabilities of the medical industry in Gyeonggi Province and expand cooperation among companies… We will continue to provide the administrative support necessary for medical companies and others to resolve difficulties in the technology and product development process and enhance their international competitiveness,” said Yoo Kwon-soo, Director of the Medical Resources Division of Gyeonggi Province.

Gyeonggi Province announced on October 25 that a delegation from the province, led by Governor Kim, will visit Austria and the Netherlands, located in central Europe, from October 27 to November 2 to build a bridge for the expansion of Gyeonggi Province companies into Europe.

Governor Kim visited the eastern U.S., including New York City, for five days and seven nights from October 15 to 21 to build partnerships with New York Governor Kathy Hochul and Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin, and to attract a total of KRW 2.1 trillion in investment.

In the Netherlands, he will first visit the headquarters of ASM and ASML, two of the world’s leading semiconductor equipment companies, to discuss investment cooperation.

Founded in 1968, ASM is a global semiconductor equipment company with annual sales of KRW 3.8 trillion. It is a market leader in atomic layer deposition (ALD) technology, which is essential for semiconductor production.

Founded in 1984, ASML is the world’s leading supplier of semiconductor equipment for lithography, a key process in semiconductor manufacturing, with annual sales of EUR 27.6 billion (KRW 40 trillion in 2023). It is the only company capable of producing equipment for extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography (the process of forming circuit patterns on silicon wafers), which is essential for advanced semiconductor manufacturing.

Global cooperation in high-tech industries will also be strengthened. Governor Kim will meet the Minister of Labor and Economic Affairs of Austria, a ‘powerhouse of small and medium-sized enterprises,’ to expand economic and industrial cooperation, and sign a new friendship agreement with the Dutch province of North Brabant, a high-tech industrial center.

He will also be a keynote speaker at the opening ceremony of the 28th World Korean Economic Congress, which will be attended by some 3,000 businesspeople from around the world, and is expected to play a leading role in helping Gyeonggi Province companies expand into Europe, centered around the Gyeonggi Pavilion at the event venue.

“In Austria, which is located in the center of Europe, we will meet with local political and business figures and take on problem-solving roles for Gyeonggi Province companies expanding into Europe. In the Netherlands, we will not only strengthen international exchanges but also actively discuss investment cooperation with high-tech semiconductor equipment companies,” said a Gyeonggi Province official. “We will continue to achieve significant results after our trip to the U.S.”

On October 23, a delegation from Flanders, including Annelies Vanderhoydonks, Head of AI Policy at the Center of Excellence for AI under the Ministry of Digital Strategy of Flanders, visited the Gyeonggi Provincial Government Complex to discuss ways to strengthen international AI cooperation between the two local governments.

Flanders is one of the members of the Disruptive Emerging Technologies Alliance (DETA), a council of local governments that Gyeonggi Province joined in January to strengthen international policy exchange on artificial intelligence (AI). This was the first face-to-face meeting after several video conferences.

At the meeting, Kim Ki-byeong, Director General of AI for Gyeonggi Province, introduced the current status and tasks of AI policy promotion in Gyeonggi Province, and pledged cooperation between the two regions in policy exchange in the field of artificial intelligence and support for the advancement of the field by research institutes, universities and companies.

The Belgian delegation visited Mind AI and Naver in Seongnam City, Gyeonggi Province, to learn about the companies’ AI technologies and related services.

“If you are interested in visiting Belgium, we will introduce Belgium’s AI technology and policies, and also arrange meetings with various companies, schools and research institutes,” said Wouter Vanhees, Trade and Investment Counselor for Flanders in Korea.

“We hope that this meeting will be an important opportunity for further cooperation between the local governments of the two countries in the application of human-centered AI, and we will continue to work together to achieve common results through close AI cooperation,” said Director General Kim.

Kim Hyun-gon, Vice Governor for Economy of Gyeonggi Province, and Tran Sy Thanh, Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at Dodamso (Gyeonggi gubernatorial residence) on October 21. With the signing of the MOU, Hanoi became Gyeonggi Province’s third Vietnamese cooperation partner after Ng Ean Province and Ho Chi Minh City.

Through this agreement, the two regions agreed to expand cooperation in various fields such as economy, trade, smart cities, urban development, culture and the arts, cultural heritage preservation and promotion, sports exchanges, climate change and energy issues, health care, education and people-to-people exchanges. They also shared their visions for overcoming global crises and achieving sustainable development.

“Gyeonggi Province is the largest local government in South Korea, the economic and industrial center of the nation, and a leader in high-tech industries such as semiconductors, bio and AI. Hanoi is the millennium capital of Vietnam, a center of politics, culture, science and education, and a stronghold of the northern economy,” said Vice Governor Kim. “Today, two regions representing two countries have established friendly and cooperative relations. We look forward to practical cooperation in various fields in the future.”

“Gyeonggi Province is a representative region of Korea in many aspects, including population, area and economy, and I believe it is a leading region in new fields, especially high-tech, environmental and creative innovation fields, and so I foresee considerable cooperation with Hanoi,” said Chairman Tran Sy Thanh. “I look forward to signing the MOU today and realizing cooperation in various fields.”

Hanoi is a city with a long history, so much so that in 2010 it will celebrate the 1,000th anniversary of its designation as the capital of Vietnam. It is the political, cultural, educational and economic center of northern Vietnam, and its main industries are trade, transportation, communications, finance and services. With a gross regional domestic product (GRDP) of USD 54.6 billion in 2023, Hanoi ranks second in Vietnam.

With this agreement, Gyeonggi Province will pursue closer cooperation with “post-China” Vietnam, which is the province’s third largest export market after the U.S. and China and an important partner in the global supply chain.

Gyeonggi Province expects that this agreement will provide an important opportunity to expand exchanges from the southeastern region of Vietnam to the northern region, thus diversifying exchange areas and expanding its economic sphere.

Governor Kim’s visit to the U.S., the third since he took office, is significant as it is the result of his participation in the 2024 Davos Forum (World Economic Forum Annual Meeting), Gyeonggi Province said.

Governor Kim was the only government official invited to the Innovator Community Session at the Davos Forum in Switzerland in January, where he networked with global startups. The Innovator Community Session is a signature event of the Davos Forum where startups from around the world share information. Governor Kim also hosted a special session called “Gyeonggi and the Innovators,” which was prepared by the Forum organizers in response to requests from unicorn companies (unlisted startups with a company value of over KRW 1 trillion and less than 10 years in business) that participated in the Davos Forum. Governor Kim requested investment from Gyeonggi Province for the seven startups that participated in the session, and this time he came at the invitation of Saeju Jeong Se-ju, Chairman & Co-Founder of NOOM, a Korean-American unicorn company that also participated in the session.

Accordingly, 31 people from 22 startups in Gyeonggi Province will accompany the Gyeonggi Province delegation for the signing of an agreement with the United Korean Founders (UKF) to support the mutual promotion of startups between Gyeonggi Province and America. The UKF is a non-profit organization established by Korean entrepreneurs in America to support the creation of a startup ecosystem.

They will also participate in the 2024 NYC Startup Summit organized by the UKF, providing Gyeonggi startups with opportunities to secure global investment and spread the message that Gyeonggi Province offers an ideal environment for the growth of startups.

The visit is also expected to lead to substantial investment. A company, a global leader in industrial safety certification, and B, a foreign-invested company in a logistics center and development platform, are pursuing investment agreements.

In the field of international exchange and cooperation, Governor Kim will meet with the governors of Virginia and New York to strengthen practical cooperation in high-tech industries.

Virginia is home to manufacturing and high-tech industries as well as major data centers, and Governor Kim will meet with Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin to discuss innovation alliances in Gyeonggi’s strategic industries and future growth sectors such as startups and biotech.

Another meeting will facilitate exchanges with New York State, a representative region for startups. Governor Kim plans to propose to New York Governor Kathy Hochul material support for the startup sector, human and technology exchanges, and economic cooperation between Gyeonggi Province and New York State.

A Gyeonggi Province official said, “This visit is aimed at strengthening exchanges and cooperation in the eastern part of North America, expanding the economic sphere of advanced industries, and attracting investment… In particular, it is significant in providing opportunities for startups in Gyeonggi Province to enter the global market.”

Governor Kim exchanged views with the Mayor of Riyadh Region on the climate crisis, public transportation management and urban planning cooperation between Gyeonggi Province and Riyadh at Dodamso (gubernatorial residence) on the morning of October 11.

Governor Kim explained the details of Gyeonggi Province’s climate policy and “Vision 2030,” which he led as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance during the previous national administration.

Governor Kim said, “As a key figure behind the creation of Korea’s ‘Vision 2030’ 20 years ago, I was very happy to hear about ‘Saudi Vision 2030.’ We look forward to its successful implementation… Gyeonggi Province is the center of all industries and economies in Korea, and has everything that Riyadh wants for urban development. We look forward to further strengthening relations between Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and Gyeonggi Province.”

He continued, “Suwon, the capital of Gyeonggi Province, was the first planned city in the Korean Peninsula, built 230 years ago today… It is a remarkable planned city with architectural technologies and disciplines that are difficult to comprehend even now. Once again, I respectfully ask you to please visit again. Next time, I hope you will have at least one day to explore Suwon.”

The Mayor of Riyadh Region, said, “Saudi Arabia and Riyadh have very good feelings toward Korea. This is because, without Korea’s cooperation in the 1970s and 1980s, it would have been difficult to complete the city as it is now… Saudi Vision 2030 is a strategy to build a stronger country, and I think there are many similarities between Saudi Arabia and Korea. I believe it is important to maintain relations with the Korean government and local governments, and I hope that the cooperation will continue in the future.”

He continued, “We announced the Riyadh Sustainability Strategy in 2021, and we are currently promoting about 60 to 70 projects… I would like to strengthen cooperation in the field of renewable energy. I hope that our working-level officials can further discuss and build a mutually beneficial cooperation system in the future.”

Saudi Arabia is promoting the ‘Saudi Arabia Vision 2030’ project to reduce dependence on oil, open up the economy and promote soft power. As part of this, Riyadh Municipality, the capital city of Saudi Arabia, is implementing the ‘Riyadh 2030 Project’ to make Riyadh one of the top 10 cities in the world, and is promoting the ‘New Murabba Project’ to create a complex for housing, transportation, and the arts using environmentally friendly, cutting-edge technologies.

The meeting was organized at the request of Riyadh with hopes for inter-regional cooperation, noting that Governor Kim is deeply interested in responding to the climate crisis and Gyeonggi Province is implementing leading policies.

Meanwhile, saying Riyadh will host a World Expo in Riyadh in 2030, the Mayor of Riyadh Region asked for the interest of Gyeonggi Province and South Korea.

At the official request of the Korean Language Department of Jawaharlal Nehru University in India, Governor Dong Yeon Kim sent a congratulatory video message on the occasion of the 2024 Hangeul Day event hosted by the Korean Language Department from October 8 to 10, encouraging students and participants who love Hangeul and supporting the event with materials.

In his video message, Governor Kim said, “I visited Nehru University when I visited India last year. I deeply appreciated talking with students in a cafeteria of Nehru University and thinking about cooperation with Nehru University.”

Introducing the attractions of Gyeonggi Province, such as “Yeoju, the city that embraces Hangeul” and “Paju, a symbol of peace and nature,” he said: “Gyeonggi Province is the opportunity capital of Korea, and India is the land of opportunity, a nation of unlimited possibilities. We are waiting for special meetings with Indian youths in Gyeonggi Province, the capital of opportunity. Please come to Gyeonggi Province, where all the charms of Korea are found.”

Governor Kim posted a video of his time with students of Nehru University’s Korean Language Department on his social media, expressing gratitude for the students’ love for Korea and Hangeul. In the video, when asked “What comes to mind when you think of Korea?”, some students answered “Guunmong” and “Busan dialect,” showing that there are many students who have great love for and interest in Korea.

Jawaharlal Nehru University is a national university in New Delhi named after India’s first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru. It is considered one of India’s most prestigious universities, placing second in the 2024 University Rankings of India. Nehru University was also the first university in India to start teaching Korean. It has been offering Korean language courses since 1973, and in 2013, it became the first university in Southwest Asia to establish a single Korean language department, contributing significantly to Korean language education in India and producing Korean language experts to serve as bridges between the two countries.

With the recent rapid spread of the Korean Wave in India, the popularity of Korean language departments has also skyrocketed, recording a competitive recruitment ratio of 3,300-to-1 in 2022.

Since 2007, the Department of Korean Language has been holding an annual event to celebrate Hangeul Day with university students near New Delhi and private inividuals who are learning Korean. This year’s event consists of a variety of programs, including cultural performances such as Korean-Indian traditional dance, K-pop dance covers, elementary, middle and high school writing contests, Korean song contests, Korean quiz and traditional play contests, and a Korean food festival. It is a meaningful event that not only celebrates Hangeul Day, but also allows participants to experience Korean culture and deepen their understanding of Korea.

Gyeonggi Province established a Gyeonggi Business Center (GBC) in Mumbai in 2005 and in Bengaluru in 2023, and has been actively supporting the development of small and medium-sized enterprises in India by holding G-Fair for 11 consecutive years since 2009 to support the development of excellent small and medium-sized enterprises in overseas markets. In addition, KINTEX in India has acquired 20-year operating rights for and is currently operating Yasobhumi, the largest exhibition and convention center in India, and is preparing to successfully host KoINDEX, a comprehensive industrial exhibition covering major industries of Korea and India, in November this year.

Hwaseong Haenggung Palace (1796) is regarded as the place where King Jeongjo realized his ideals. When he visited Hwaseong, he worked at Yuyeotaek in Hwaseong Haenggung.

Gyeonggi Province Governor Dong Yeon Kim and his wife were joined by Utah State Governor Spencer James Cox and his wife at Hwaseong Haenggung Palace – which is imbued with the spirit of Jeongjo – at 10:00 a.m. on September 30, accompanied by an honor guard in traditional dress. Governor Cox and his wife repeatedly expressed their admiration.

Governor Kim explained, “[Hwaseong Haenggung Palace] was built by King Jeongjo, one of Korea’s most respected kings, who worked to create a strong and forward-looking nation by reforming governance and fostering economic growth.”

He then introduced Hwaseong Haenggung Palace, built in the 18th century, as a place where the latest Eastern and Western technologies of the time came together, and as a symbol of innovation, progress, and a vision for a better tomorrow.

“It is an honor to be here. I was treated like a king when I walked through the gates of this amazing Palace,” exclaimed Governor Cox.

Governor Cox said, “I know that King Jeongjo built Hwaseong Haenggung Palace 300 years ago and honored his mother (Lady Hyegyeong Hong) here. I saw his words written outside: ‘This is my new home… It seems that Gyeonggi Province has become Utah’s new home. I thank the governor for welcoming us like this.

That day, Governor Kim and Governor Cox signed the Gyeonggi-Utah Action Plan at Hwaseong Haenggung Palace.

The Action Plan includes measures for strengthening cooperation between Gyeonggi Province and Utah in the fields of trade and economy, culture, arts and sports, education and people-to-people exchanges.

Gyeonggi Province and Utah became sister regions 41 years ago in 1983.

Since then, through agreements such as the “Agreement on Promotion of Economic Cooperation” (1994), the “Agreement on Promotion of Exchanges and Cooperation” (2000), and the “Agreement on Promotion of Exchanges and Cooperation” (2018), the level of cooperation has been steadily raised.

“The Action Plan signed today takes our cooperation a step further… Our shared commitment to fostering innovation in key industries such as advanced manufacturing, life sciences, aerospace, and information technology will create new opportunities for economic growth in both of our regions,” said Governor Kim.

“I think a sisterhood is similar to a marriage. It’s a relationship in which we can combine our strengths and learn from each other’s differences… I hope that when future generations look back on us, they will remember that we chose to be stronger together and had the humility to learn from each other. I am so proud of our sisterhood relationship with Gyeonggi Province,” said Governor Cox.

After signing the Action Plan, Governor Kim and his wife joined the Utah delegation on a tour of the same place (Bongsudang) where King Jeongjo held the 60th birthday party for his mother, Lady Hyegyeong Hong, as mentioned by Governor Cox.

The Gyeonggi members and Utah delegation (29 people including Governor Cox and his wife as well as Utah State lawmakers, officials, and business representatives) then moved to nearby Dodamso, the residence of the Governor of Gyeonggi Province, for a meeting and lunch.

At the Dodamso meeting, the two governors discussed ways to strengthen cooperation in the areas of business start-ups, education and tourism exchanges, and decided to establish working-level contact points to concretize the content of the discussions.

Governor Kim said, “I expect that the Action Plan signed earlier with the governor will create more opportunities for cooperation and synergy in the future.”

“Starting next June, we’re going to have direct flights from Salt Lake City to Korea… I think that’s going to make a big difference,” said Governor Cox.

Governor Kim received his master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Michigan in the United States and worked as a senior policy officer at the World Bank (2002-2005), so he is proficient in English. Today, he freely conversed with the Governor of Utah without the aid of an interpreter.

Of particular note, Governor Cox used the expression “game changer” when explaining the direct flight route between Korea and Utah, and when the interpreter paraphrased it as “of great significance,” Governor Kim did not miss it and responded, “You used the word ‘game changer’ earlier when you talked about direct flights. This is very good news and I completely agree [with the expression ‘game changer’].”

At the Dodamso luncheon, a famous line from The Osmonds’ song Utah – “Utah is the place where I want to be” – was used as part of a welcoming banner along with an image of the Wasatch Mountains that run through Utah.

Lunch that day featured traditional Korean dishes such as bibimbap, minari and clam tofu stew, marinated beef ribs, and sweet-and-sour chicken.

Governor Kim received applause and cheers when he said in his English luncheon speech, ” And back in the 90s, although I was studying in Michigan, home of the Detroit Pistons, I was a big fan of the greatest pick-and-roll duo in NBA history, Karl Malone and John Stockton of the Utah Jazz.”

Governor Kim emphasized, ” My friends, just as Malone and Stockton were the dynamic duo on the basketball court, I know that Gyeonggi and Utah will be a power duo in so many ways. Our newly signed Action Plan will help us boost how we work together in important areas like biotech, IT, culture, sports, and education… All the areas that really drive innovation and help our regions move forward.”

Governor Cox expressed his gratitude, saying, “Many people I met in Korea said that the Gyeonggi Governor is the best governor in Korea, and I think that is true. The United States is also experiencing a lot of division during the election season, and we are so happy to have made a new friend in Korea, Governor Kim, a friend who will be with us for decades to come.”

He then noted, “When we look back on this day 10 years from now, we will not remember the economic data we discussed today. But we will remember the moments we shared in the palace, the beautiful music, the great food, and the warmth you have shown us today.”