Kim Dong-yeon Builds Special Ties with San Diego Through Holiday Welcome

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Kim Gap-dong] Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon, currently visiting North America to strengthen international exchange and cooperation and attract foreign investment, met with San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria to discuss measures for advancing cooperation between Gyeonggi Province and San Diego.

Governor Kim met with Mayor Todd Gloria on the afternoon of the 15th local time in San Diego, explained the outcomes of his U.S. visit, and said, "I came to San Diego to see my friend, the Mayor, and to discuss cooperation in the biotech sector."

Governor Kim stated, "Gyeonggi Province is currently preparing five industrial belts: AI, IT, semiconductors, mobility, and biotech, with the greatest emphasis on the Siheung Biotech Industrial Belt in relation to the biotech belt. We plan to attract Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University Dental Hospital, and many biotech companies to Siheung City to create an industrial cluster."

He added, "As part of the Gyeonggi Youth Ladder Program, which sends Gyeonggi Province youth abroad, we plan to have Gyeonggi youth visit UC San Diego for about a month this summer. I am very pleased to send them to such a prestigious university and hope the Mayor will take interest as well."

Mayor Todd Gloria said, "Please let me know if there is anything needed to make this a successful San Diego visit in biotech and other areas," and regarding the Gyeonggi Youth Ladder Program stated, "I will coordinate with the university to ensure they have a good experience."

Christina Bibler, Director of Economic Development for San Diego, suggested, "San Diego is a society composed of very diverse elements. This time you mainly met with the biotech industry, but it would be nice if next time you discover the various strengths San Diego has in other sectors."

This is the second meeting between the two. Governor Kim Dong-yeon met Mayor Gloria, who visited Korea with a San Diego economic delegation on October 29 last year, at Dohamsо. It was an unprecedented occasion in that Governor Kim, originally scheduled to depart on October 29 for a visit to China, postponed his departure to the morning of the 30th and held a welcome event on a Sunday holiday.

At their first meeting, the two discussed Kim Ha-seong, a shortstop for Major League Baseball's San Diego Padres from Gyeonggi Province, and cutting-edge technology exchanges including telecommunications technology and biotech based on DNA. The economic delegation of 38 members also engaged in spontaneous discussions. Subsequently, San Diego visited Siheung City, which Gyeonggi Province connected through the biotech industry, and concluded an economic cooperation agreement.

After the first meeting, Mayor Gloria expressed gratitude, saying "Thank you for welcoming me on a Sunday. I would like to reciprocate," and indicated his intention to issue an invitation. It is explained that Governor Kim's visit to San Diego was the result of this connection.

UC San Diego University, one of the institutions that visited Gyeonggi Province as part of the San Diego economic delegation, decided to participate in the Gyeonggi Youth Ladder Program this year. BioCom CA, the largest biotech association in the U.S., which Governor Kim visited during this North American trip, and Illumina, a leading company in genomic analysis research, also share the commonality of having been part of the economic delegation.

Meanwhile, prior to his meeting with San Diego's Mayor, Governor Kim threw the first pitch at the San Diego Padres vs. Colorado Rockies game at 1 p.m. local time on the 15th.

Before the start of the game at Petco Park, the San Diego Padres home stadium, the stadium announcer introduced Governor Kim, who served as the first pitch thrower, saying, "Today's first pitch thrower. Please welcome him. Kim Dong-yeon, the 46th Governor of Gyeonggi Province, Korea."

Governor Kim wore a Padres uniform with jersey number 31, representing the 31 cities and counties of Gyeonggi Province, and threw the first pitch. The catcher was the San Diego Padres' mascot 'Swing Friar.'

With "Arirang" filling Petco Park, Governor Kim threw the ball accurately into the catcher's glove, receiving applause from the crowd.

For this first pitch, the San Diego Padres organization stated in an official invitation sent to Governor Kim on April 25, "Major League Baseball, as part of its World Tour, held a two-game series between the San Diego Padres and LA Dodgers in Seoul (Gocheok Dome). We are requesting that Governor Kim throw the first pitch to strengthen cultural solidarity."

Meanwhile, Governor Kim held a Korean Student Association meeting in the International Student Office Conference Room at UC San Diego University at 6 p.m. that day. The meeting was attended by 14 members of the Korean Student Association, and they conversed for approximately one hour and 20 minutes on various topics including recent interests, advice as a senior on career paths, political issues, and recommended books.