Yoon made the remarks at a luncheon meeting hosted for the Michigan governor at the Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas hotel in Samseong-dong, Gangnam-gu, saying, "Michigan is the traditional home of the automotive industry and is emerging as a hub for next-generation mobility, batteries and advanced manufacturing." Detroit, Michigan's largest city, is home to the headquarters of U.S. automakers including Ford, GM and Stellantis.
Whitmer responded, "With its excellent skilled workforce, advanced manufacturing capabilities and solid supply chains, Michigan is ready to develop next-generation technologies together with Korean companies," adding, "Building on the close partnership Michigan and Korea have maintained for decades, we look forward to opening up future industries with Korean companies."
The meeting drew 19 participants, including Yoon and the trade association's leadership, member companies of the Korea-U.S. Economic Council, and executives from companies operating in or interested in Michigan in the battery, auto parts and advanced manufacturing sectors, such as Samsung SDI (006400), LG Energy Solution (373220) and Hansae Mobility. The trade association serves as the secretariat of the Korea-U.S. Economic Council, a private-sector channel for economic cooperation established in 1973 to promote bilateral economic ties. On the Michigan side, 15 delegation members attended, including Whitmer and officials from the Michigan Economic Development Corp.
Whitmer, a leading female figure in the U.S. Democratic Party, has driven the revival of the U.S. auto industry and efforts to attract next-generation battery and clean energy supply chains. Credited with sharply boosting Michigan's industrial competitiveness through such pragmatic economic policies, she is drawing attention as a next-generation leader in U.S. politics.
