Tennessee governor meets Korean firms to boost EV ties
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee met with Korean business leaders on Thursday to strengthen economic ties between the state and South Korean manufacturers. The Korea International Trade Association organized the session as 24 Korean enterprises have committed $6 billion to Tennessee operations, generating more than 4,500 positions in sectors spanning batteries to automotive components.
KITA Chair Yoon Jin-sik requested state assistance for Korean technicians facing delays in visa processing. Lee pledged workforce development programs and stable energy infrastructure to support Korean manufacturers already established in Tennessee, which hosts production facilities for General Motors, Nissan, and Volkswagen.
The governor’s delegation included Deputy Governor Stuart McWhorter and officials from the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development. Lee planned additional meetings with representatives from LG Chem, LG Electronics, and LG Energy Solution before departing Korea.
Twenty-five Korean executives attended the roundtable, representing firms operating in Tennessee or evaluating expansion into the state. Korean investments focus primarily on electric vehicle supply chains and advanced battery systems.
