Yoon meets Georgia governor to ask support for Korean companies

President Yoon Suk Yeol, right, and Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp shake hands during their meeting at the presidential office in Seoul, June 18, in this photo provided by the presidential office. Yonhap

President Yoon Suk Yeol met Georgia Governor Brian Kemp on Tuesday and asked for his support for Korean electric vehicle (EV) and battery companies operating in the U.S. state, the presidential office said.

Kemp was in Korea to discuss ongoing business projects, as Georgia has attracted high-profile investments from big Korean companies, such as Hyundai Motor, SK, Hanwha and LG, in recent years.

During the meeting, Yoon asked for the governor's support in creating a business-friendly environment for Korean companies operating in Georgia in fields such as EVs and batteries, as well as for about 100,000 Korean nationals living in the state, the presidential office said.

In response, Kemp emphasized the importance of the bilateral alliance between Korea and the U.S. and pledged support across a wide range of fields, including the economy, people-to-people exchanges and culture, it noted.

Hyundai Motor is currently constructing a new EV plant in Georgia, which is scheduled to be completed in the fourth quarter.

Hyundai Motor and SK On, a battery arm of SK Group, are also building a battery plant in Georgia with an annual production capacity of 35 gigawatt hours. SK On is also operating two of its own plants in Georgia. (Yonhap)