Troy Mayor Ethan Baker welcomed a delegation from the Korean Embassy in Washington, D.C., to discuss foreign investment, job creation and economic opportunities in Troy and Oakland County.
Baker described the meeting in an Oct. 23 post on X, identifying three visiting officials: Young-Hee Chun, the embassy's deputy chief of mission; Changhoon Yuh, director of its congressional office; and First Secretary Sohyun Yoon.
"We had a great conversation about strengthening international relationships and the important role foreign investment plays in creating jobs and economic opportunities in Troy and across Oakland County," Baker wrote.
The mayor said he looked forward to continuing the discussions and building on existing relationships.
Photographs accompanying the post show Baker greeting a delegation member outside Troy Municipal offices and meeting with visitors around a conference table.
Baker did not announce a specific investment, job commitment or formal agreement resulting from the meeting. His post also did not specify when the meeting took place.
Michigan's economic ties with South Korea
The visit follows Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's September investment mission to South Korea and Taiwan.
During that trip, the state delegation met with Korean companies already operating in Michigan, including POEN, a future mobility company that established its U.S. operations in Troy in 2025, according to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.
The state delegation also met with the Korea International Trade Association and South Korean government officials to discuss business development and economic cooperation.
The MEDC reported in September that Korean-based companies had undertaken 14 investment projects in Michigan since January 2019, representing approximately $6 billion in capital investment and 5,379 direct jobs.
Those figures describe statewide investment over several years, not outcomes from Baker's meeting.
Baker's discussions with the embassy delegation add a local connection to Michigan's ongoing efforts to strengthen economic relationships with South Korea.
