NJ Governor Visits South Korea: Business, Driver’s Licenses, Schools

NEW JERSEY — As New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy continues his overseas “trade mission” across East Asia, he and his governmental counterparts in South Korea are figuring out some practical ways to bring their constituents closer together, his administration says.

Earlier this month, Murphy and other delegates from New Jersey embarked on a nine-day trip to several East Asian nations, including South Korea. The trade mission was organized by nonprofit economic development group Choose New Jersey, and is scheduled to wrap up on Oct. 22.

Job creation and investment in New Jersey are the top two priorities, Murphy previously said.

New Jersey is home to the fourth-highest percentage of Asian Americans of any state in the nation, with a population of nearly one million Asian American residents, including more than 100,000 Korean Americans.

• See Related: NJ Laws Expand Asian American Heritage In Social Studies Classes
• See Related: New Jersey Commission Will Advocate For Asian American Residents

On Wednesday, Murphy gave an update about the South Korea leg of the trip, where he’s been meeting with politicians, business leaders, educators, police chiefs and other community members.

One of Murphy’s meetings was with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol. While details are scarce as of Wednesday, the governor said that he was pleased with the meeting, adding that Yoon “knew more about the Korean community in New Jersey than any of us,” ROI-NJ.com reported.

Here are some other updates, according to the governor’s office.

DRIVERS LICENSES

Several of the trip’s highlights involve memorandums of understanding (MOUs), including an agreement between the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (NJMVC) and the National Police Agency of the Republic of Korea (NPA).

The topic of that discussion? Driver’s licenses.

After reviewing both sets of driving requirements, the NJMVC and NPA agreed that their standards are equally as rigorous – thereby allowing “reciprocity.”

Under the agreement, South Korean citizens in New Jersey will be able to convert their driver’s licenses using a streamlined process, saving them a trip through some red tape. In return, New Jersey residents living in South Korea will be able to do the same, the governor’s office said.

“The last thing that should ever stand in the way of New Jerseyans and South Koreans working together is administrative hurdles,” Murphy commented.

BUSINESS STARTUPS

Another MOU was announced that involves New Jersey and the city of Seoul, South Korea.

The agreement will support small and medium-sized enterprises and startups, while “establishing a bilateral partnership between New Jersey and Seoul.” It formalizes collaboration between the state of New Jersey and the International Relations Division of the Seoul Metropolitan Government.

The two entities will work together to support Seoul’s business owners – ensuring “fair competition and opportunities for all,” the governor’s office said.

Murphy met with Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon to announce the MOU on Wednesday.

“As the bond between Korea and the United States has grown and solidified in recent years, I anticipate that the connection between Seoul and New Jersey will likewise progress,” Oh said.

SCHOOLS

On Wednesday, the governor’s office announced the signing of four MOUs with Korean educational institutions.

One of the agreements is between Rutgers – the state university of New Jersey – and Seoul National University in Seoul. Another between the New Jersey Institute of Technology in Newark and Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute in Daejeon. The third is between Kean University and Soongsil University. The fourth is between Kean University and Sangmyung University.

The goal of the agreements? To “develop and expand previously established partnerships that promote research and exchange programs,” the governor’s office said.

Here are some details about each MOU:

RUTGERS AND SEOUL NATIONAL – “Rutgers University and Seoul National University have a longstanding partnership that began in 2009, primarily focused on student exchange. The MOU signed today will expand that partnership beyond student exchange to faculty visits and research collaboration. The universities are encouraged to offer joint courses and distance learning opportunities for their students.”

NJIT AND KOREA ASTRONOMY INSTITUTE – “The MOU between New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) and the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute (KASI) focuses primarily on collaborative research in solar physics. This partnership, initially established in 2014, allows scientists and engineers from KASI to utilize solar telescopes and instruments owned by NJIT, which will provide visiting Korean scientists with 20 full-day observations in the Big Bear Solar Observatory. The researchers will share observational data and expertise and theoretical knowledge related to data analysis.”

KEAN AND SOONGSIL – “Kean University and Soongsil University adopted an MOU that allows for the exchange of students, faculty, and staff in addition to the implementation of collaborative research projects, lectures, and academic conferences.”

KEAN AND SANGMYUNG – “Kean University signed an additional MOU with Sangmyung University, encouraging academic cooperation through the sharing of materials, exchange of students, faculty, and researchers alongside the formation of joint research projects.”

“These agreements lay the groundwork for opportunities that will support our state’s economic growth and promote international innovation,” Murphy said. “It is our hope that these collaborations will foster lasting partnerships between these premier institutions.”

MATERNAL HEALTH CARE

Another key development was the signing of a MOU between the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) and the Maternal and Child Health Promotion Center within the Yangcheon-gu Public Health Center, in Seoul, South Korea.

According to the governor’s office, it will “establish collaboration through sharing of clinical work and best practices” involving infant and maternal health care.

The result? Better health care for mothers and their children in both nations.

“We are grateful for today’s warm reception from Jaehun Jung and the team at Yangcheon-gu Maternal and Child Health Promotion Center,” First Lady Tammy Murphy said.

“We are taking many important lessons away from today’s visit, which will fuel our work to develop our Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Center in Trenton,” the first lady added. “Likewise, we hope the staff of the center can benefit from our experience in this critical health care specialty.”

ENERGY

The governor’s office also released details about an ongoing partnership between the Newark-based PSE&G and two South Korean energy companies: Cheryong Electric, and Taihan Cable & Solution.

According to the governor’s office, the three companies have recommitted to an ongoing partnership born from supply chain disruptions brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. During that time of “global hardship and uncertainty,” PSE&G worked with Cheryong and Taihan to secure two critical components – transformers and power cables – which were vital to keeping the power on for New Jersey customers amid the pandemic.

On Wednesday, the companies signed a certificate of recognition that renews their partnership.

“Just about every advanced economy in the world was battered by supply chain snarls after the pandemic hit, and New Jersey was no exception,” Gov. Murphy said. “Fortunately for New Jersey, two South Korean companies worked with PSE&G to help them keep the lights on for millions of customers: Cheryong and Taihan.”

“That is an international partnership—spanning across continents and time zones—that has helped save the day for families in New Jersey,” Murphy added.

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