Expanding On-Site Efforts to Address Provincial Priorities; Stepping Up Promotions for the 'Visit Chungnam Year'

The Chungcheongnam-do U.S. Office (Director Choi Won), a crucial outpost for expanding exports and attracting foreign investment, is intensifying its on-the-ground activities to engage overseas Koreans and promote the 'Visit Chungnam Year' (2025-2026), thereby bolstering key provincial initiatives.

Park Jeong-ju, the Vice Governor for Administration of Chungcheongnam-do, currently on a business trip to the United States to explore global market opportunities, visited the U.S. Office in Los Angeles (LA) on April 15th (local time).

During his visit, Vice Governor Park received a comprehensive briefing from Director Choi Won on the office's achievements to date and its future operational plans, allowing him to thoroughly assess the U.S. Office's operational status.

Subsequently, Vice Governor Park emphasized the critical role of the U.S. Office in achieving tangible outcomes for key provincial tasks, including establishing a robust system for counseling and outreach to overseas Koreans regarding relocation to Chungcheongnam-do, and significantly enhancing promotional efforts for the 'Visit Chungnam Year'.

The initiative to attract overseas Koreans to Chungcheongnam-do gained significant momentum following Governor Kim Tae-heum's visit to the United States in January, during which he appointed local Korean-Americans from Chungcheongnam-do as honorary ambassadors.

The 'Visit Chungnam Year' is a strategic initiative aimed at revitalizing the regional economy through tourism promotion, enhancing the province's image as a desirable tourist destination that visitors will want to revisit, and achieving the ambitious goal of attracting 50 million annual visitors by 2026, thereby positioning Chungcheongnam-do as a top-tier domestic tourist destination.

Vice Governor Park underscored the importance of leveraging U.S.-based networks, stating, "Strengthening collaboration with various human networks within the United States is a pivotal element in addressing and resolving provincial challenges. We must intensify our outreach efforts, focusing on on-the-ground engagement, to encourage overseas Koreans to consider relocating to Chungcheongnam-do and to facilitate their visits to their homeland."

In response to Vice Governor Park's directives, the U.S. Office is set to expand its collaboration with local Korean-American organizations and diaspora communities. Furthermore, plans are underway to establish a dedicated consultation desk within the office to provide guidance and support for those considering relocating to Chungcheongnam-do.

Additionally, the U.S. Office will implement a multifaceted promotional strategy to raise awareness and interest in Chungcheongnam-do's rich cultural heritage and diverse tourism offerings. This will involve actively engaging with local media outlets and utilizing various social media platforms to disseminate compelling content.

The U.S. Office serves as a vital hub for promoting the province's trade interests, attracting foreign direct investment, and fostering international diplomatic relations. Its core functions include supporting export-oriented companies based in Chungcheongnam-do through initiatives such as facilitating matchmaking consultations between overseas buyers and local businesses, addressing export-related challenges, providing crucial market trend analysis, and actively identifying genuine potential buyers.

Beyond trade and investment, the U.S. Office is also actively involved in attracting international tourists, fostering international exchange and cooperation, and promoting public diplomacy initiatives.

Chungcheongnam-do established the U.S. Office with the dispatch of Director Choi Won in July of the previous year, and currently operates with a team of three, including two locally hired staff members. This reinforced presence in the United States underscores the province's commitment to engaging with the international community and achieving its global economic and tourism objectives. The enhanced focus on attracting overseas Koreans and promoting the 'Visit Chungnam Year' through proactive on-site activities signifies a strategic move to leverage the diaspora network and elevate the province's global profile. The success of these initiatives holds significant potential for the economic and social development of Chungcheongnam-do, fostering stronger ties with the Korean diaspora in the United States and positioning the province as a premier destination for both investment and tourism. The coming years will be crucial in observing the tangible outcomes of these intensified efforts and their impact on Chungcheongnam-do's global standing.