Periodically, the Korea Economic Institute (KEI) takes the U.S. ambassador to South Korea and the South Korean ambassador to the United States to three cities across the country to discuss the bilateral relationship.
Ambassadors' Dialogue
In each city, the two ambassadors address civic leaders, students, veterans, local media, business leaders, and state or local political leaders. These events are generally sponsored by local organizations engaged in public affairs programming.
From September 9 to September 13, U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Philip Goldberg and South Korean Ambassador to the United States Hyundong Cho visited Michigan, Texas, and Arizona. The two ambassadors discussed the robust and growing economic partnership between the United States and South Korea.
Michigan
Ambassador Goldberg and Ambassador Cho visited the SK Siltron CSS facility, spoke at a panel discussion hosted by the University of Michigan's Nam Center for Korean Studies and the Weiser Diplomacy Center, met top Korean investors in the state at a business roundtable hosted by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, and had a meeting with Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer to discuss the expanding economic relationship between Michigan and Korea.
Texas
Ambassador Goldberg and Ambassador Cho visited the Samsung Austin Semiconductor plant, held a press conference for local journalists with county judge Bill Gravell, and had a meeting with Texas Governor Greg Abbott to discuss his recent trip to Korea and sectors driving ties between Texas and Korea.
Arizona
Ambassador Goldberg and Ambassador Cho spoke at a career panel at Arizona State University, had a meeting with Arizona Commerce Authority President and CEO Sandra Watson about Arizona's success in attracting large amounts of foreign semiconductor investment, and received a briefing at the global headquarters of Amkor Technology, a global outsourced semiconductor assembly and test service provider founded in South Korea.