Over the past two years, South Korean companies have invested billions of dollars in new plants and operations to create jobs in the Peach State.
The work of the Georgia Department of Economic Development caught the attention of The Korea Society, a group that promotes greater awareness, understanding and cooperation between citizens of the United States and South Korea. Last month, the Korea Society honored the department with the James A. Van Fleet Award.
The accolade is awarded annually to one or more distinguished Koreans or Americans in recognition of outstanding contributions to the promotion of U.S.-South Korea relations. Gov. Brian Kemp accepted the award at the Korea Society's annual dinner at The Plaza in New York City.
Kemp credited Korean companies with helping the state attract a record number of new jobs and foreign investment. Yoonie Kim, a South Korea native who is director of Korean investment for Georgia's economic development group, has landed 130 foreign direct investment projects, creating 22,600 jobs and $11.7 billion in capital in the state. Kim was at the dinner weeks ago with Commissioner Pat Wilson of the Georgia Department of Economic Development and former Georgia Chief Operating Officer Bert Brantley, who now heads the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce.
“My first economic development mission as governor was to Korea, and for Georgia to be the first state to receive this great honor alongside the former U.S. presidents, diplomats and business icons who have been presented with this award in previous years is a true privilege," Kemp said. The award is named for Gen. James A. Van Fleet, who commanded the U.S. Eighth Army at the height of the Korean War in 1951.