SACHEON-CITY, GYEONGSANGNAM-DO, SOUTH KOREA—Governor Wes Moore and the Maryland delegation this morning embarked on the final full day of their international trade and investment mission to promote economic growth and workforce development. The governor and delegation ventured outside of Seoul to Gyeongsangnam-do for a series of visits with a focus on expanding Maryland's aerospace technology and engineering industries.
To begin the day, Governor Moore met with Gyeongsangnam-do Governor Wan-soo Park to sign a new memorandum of understanding to promote research and business exchange in the aerospace and space technology sectors. The governors signed the agreement following a roundtable discussion and presentation about efforts to bolster both Maryland and Gyeongsangnam-do’s leadership in the aerospace industry.
“Today, we take another step forward in our work to grow Maryland’s economy, create jobs, and build new relationships with our partners around the world. No matter where I’ve been in my life, I’ve always wanted to find ways to build strength on strength to take the very best people and bring them together,”
said Gov. Moore. “We are joining forces to explore new frontiers of innovation and economic growth – and we are doing it in a way that will lift both of our communities. This MOU is good for our people, good for our economies, and good for our shared future. We are honored to celebrate this new chapter with each of you – and I look forward to deepening our bonds of friendship, trust, and collaboration for years to come.”
The memorandum of understanding signed today supplements an agreement that the two governors signed in Annapolis in October 2023 to advance research and business exchanges in the aerospace and space technology sectors. The new agreement commits Gyeongsangnam-do to bring an aerospace-focused delegation to Maryland and recommits both regions to advancing collaboration in the aerospace sector.
Following the roundtable, the governors had lunch with the delegations before proceeding to plant a white pine tree on the grounds of the Gyeongsangnam-do provincial building. The tree represents Korea and its planting is a symbol of Maryland and Gyeongsangnam-do’s desire to have a relationship that is lasting and strong.
The governor and select members of the delegation then traveled to the Korea Aerospace Agency, known as KASA, for an agency overview and briefing. Located in Sacheon in southern Gyeongsangnam-do, KASA aims to operate as a domestic version of the United States’s NASA, with the goal to emerge as a top five aerospace powerhouse in the world by working with the private sector to lead commercial space development and supporting government-funded research institutions and universities. KASA also plans to enter the new space launch service market and develop space transportation technology, launch pads, and manufacturing capabilities as core foundations for the space economy era.
“I hope this meeting will not only strengthen the Korea-U.S. partnership but also contribute to deepening cooperation between Gyeongsangnam-do and the State of Maryland in the aerospace sector,”
said KASA Administrator Youngbin Yoon.
To end the day, Governor Moore and the Maryland delegation visited the global headquarters of Korean Aerospace Industries, known as KAI, where they received an introduction to KAI’s aerospace and defense manufacturing operations before touring a portion of KAI’s fixed-wing building and assembly line and concluding with a tour of the FA-50 hangar.
As a total solution provider in aerospace, KAI has led South Korea’s national aviation industry and national security with the successful development of KT-1 Basic Trainer; T-50 Advanced Jet Trainer; FA-50 Light Combat Aircraft; KUH-1 Utility Helicopter; and the RQ-1 Unmanned Aerial Vehicle. KAI’s recent focus is in the enhancement of AI technology as a critical component of integrating AI technologies into aerospace and defense systems.
Outside of Gyeongsangnam-do, KAI has offices in the United Kingdom; Indonesia; Peru; Poland; France; and Egypt. In the United States, KAI has subsidiaries in Fort Worth, Texas; Vienna, Virginia; and La Mirada, California.
The governor and delegation will begin their journey home to Maryland tomorrow.