On Wednesday, Governor Brian Kemp accepted the James A. Van Fleet Award on behalf of the Georgia Department of Economic Development. The award was presented to Governor Kemp at The Korea Society’s 2023 Annual Dinner in New York, New York.
The James A. Van Fleet Award is presented annually to one or more distinguished Koreans or Americans who have had outstanding contributions to the promotion of U.S.-Korea relations. The Georgia Department of Economic Development is the state’s leading agency for attracting new business investment and trade through arts, industry, trade, innovation, film, and tourism. The Korea International Trade Association also received a 2023 Van Fleet Award.
“The strong and enduring partnership between Georgia and Korea is rooted in a shared value of innovation and hard work,” said Governor Kemp. “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.”
Georgia and Korea have maintained their economic, diplomatic, and cultural partnership for nearly five decades. Over the last decade, Korean investments have exceeded $23.6 billion through economic development projects. For the last three years, Korea has committed to creating more jobs in Georgia than any other country through foreign direct investment with at least 144 facilities with Korean parent companies like LG, SK Group, and CJ Foodville operating in the state.
