Utah Gov. Spencer J. Cox recently met with Yoon Suk Yeol, President of the Republic of Korea, marking a new chapter in Utah’s relationship with the East Asian nation. This meeting involving 47 Utah businesses and organizations, including Layton, Utah’s own aerospace manufacturer KIHOMAC, underscored the deepening economic and cultural ties between Utah and Korea.
Cox and President Yoon discussed opportunities for economic growth and cultural exchange, with an emphasis on the newly announced non-stop flight route between Incheon International Airport (ICN) and Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC). Set to launch in June 2025, this direct connection announced today by Delta Air Lines is expected to greatly enhance trade and tourism between Utah and South Korea.
The trade mission also includes visits to both Seoul and Tokyo, and intends to strengthen ties in key industries including: manufacturing, aerospace and defense, life sciences, financial services, and financial technology. Building on the success of previous missions to South Korea in 2018 and Japan in 2019, this meeting in particular reflected Utah’s strategic focus on expanding its presence in the Indo-Pacific region.
Gov. Cox and President Yoon also mentioned the 21,500 Utahns who fought for Korea’s freedom during the Korean War and explored ways to support Utah’s vibrant community of more than 15,000 Korean Americans.
The Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity and World Trade Center Utah organized this trade undertaking to support and expand the 200 Utah-based companies already engaged in business with South Korea. The return to South Korea and Japan indeed demonstrates Utah’s dedication to nurturing long-term economic partnerships in key Asian markets.