Philadelphia, August 23, 2016 – City Councilman At-Large David Oh will travel to Korea from August 28th to September 2nd to promote diplomatic, cultural and international business opportunities between Philadelphia and Korea. The Foreign Ministry of the Republic of Korea has invited Councilman Oh as the Chairman of Council’s Committee on Global Opportunities and the Creative/Innovative Economy, and as the first Korean American elected to political office in the top 10 cities in the United States. The meetings will focus on laying the groundwork for an official trade mission from Korea to Philadelphia to promote the city’s investment opportunities in technology, music, film and entertainment, tourism, and manufacturing and natural gas. Other major US cities, such as New York, Washington D.C. and Los Angeles, are frequent destinations for Korea trade missions; however, Philadelphia has not recently hosted a trade mission working closely with entities such as the Korean International Trade Association and the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency. “I am pleased that the Korean government has invited me to develop trade with Korea. I hope it will lead to the creation of more family sustaining jobs here in Philadelphia,” Councilman Oh stated.
Other objectives include positioning Philadelphia as a center for new diplomatic relations through the potential of establishing a satellite consular office in Philadelphia, an effort led by the Korean American Community in Philadelphia and supported by City Council Resolution No. 160434 and working with Korea’s National Independence Center to bring a major international event to Philadelphia during the 100th Anniversary of the Declaration of the Korean Independence Movement.
The proposed schedule includes meetings with leaders representing the National Assembly; the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism; Incheon Metropolitan City, the City of Seoul; the National Independence Center in Cheonan; the Korea International Trade Association; the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency; LG Corporation; Naver; the University of Pennsylvania Alumni Association in Korea; and prominent music, film and entertainment businesses.
Councilman Oh will be traveling with his Director of Urban Policy and International Affairs, Lois Kang, who has been invited by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to assist the Councilman with his meeting schedule in Korea. The expenses for travel and lodging accommodations will be covered by the Korean government. Councilman Oh will cover the expenses associated with additional business meetings arranged by his office.
Contact: Lois Kang, (215) 686-3452 or [email protected]
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The Republic of Korea has a population of nearly 51 million people with the world’ s 11th largest economy. It is the 6th top international trading partner with the United States and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s 10th largest export destination. The Philadelphia region has the fifth largest Korean population in the United Sates with strong academic, cultural, and business ties with Korea.
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Councilman David Oh is currently serving his second term as an At Large member of Philadelphia City Council. In January 2016, he was elected as Council’s Minority Whip by his colleagues. More information at phlcouncil.com/DavidOh
