By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo

Gyeongju City, North Gyeongsang Province, hosted a meeting with David Roden, the Gyeongsangbuk-do Investment Promotion Ambassador, in the External Relations Office of City Hall on Aug. 6, 2025.

The meeting was organized to expand global investment and strengthen the Korea-US business network, the city announced.

The event was attended by Gyeongju City Vice Mayor Song Ho-jun, Director of the Corporate Investment Support Division Son Dae-gi, and officials from the Gyeongsangbuk-do Investment Promotion Team.

Vice Mayor Song stated, "I express my gratitude to Ambassador David Roden, who has dedicated nearly 50 years to fostering Korea-US friendship, beginning with his Peace Corps service in 1977. I look forward to close cooperation between Gyeongju and Michigan, home to the headquarters of the three US automakers, in the future vehicle sector."

Ambassador Roden stated, "I visited Gyeongju over 50 years ago during my Peace Corps job training. I was deeply impressed by Gyeongju's industry, cultural heritage, and urban development."

He continued, "Gyeongju companies, such as Hyundai Mobis and Iljin, have operations in my home state of Michigan, and considering Gyeongju's e-mobility plans, I will actively pursue collaboration with the Michigan Automobile Association (Mich Auto)."

Ambassador Roden has served as the Honorary Consul of the Republic of Korea in Michigan for nearly 20 years.

Following this, the participants visited Youngshin Precision, an automotive parts company in Cheonbuk-myeon, to hear about the company's current status, tour its research facilities, and discuss global automotive industry trends.

Mayor Joo Nak-young said, "Through this meeting, we will widely publicize Gyeongju's investment potential, including the SMR National Industrial Complex and the e-Mobility Cluster, and promote Gyeongju as a city with great investment potential."