Utah Gov. Spencer Cox meets with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on Sept 27, 2024 (Courtesy of the Governor’s Office)
What did Utahns get after Gov. Spencer Cox’ s visit to South Korea this week?
Most immediately, an announcement of a direct flight from Salt Lake City to the Incheon International Airport in Seoul. But, state officials are hoping that after Cox’s Friday visit, the cultural and economic ties between Utah and Korea grow deeper.
Delta Airlines will offer daily nonstop flights from Salt Lake City to Seoul starting June 12, 2025, the only direct flight linking Utah’s capital to Asia, according to a Delta news release on Friday. It’s an opportunity Cox and President Yoon Suk Yeol of the Republic of Korea expect to enhance trade and tourism between the Beehive State and South Korea.
“As we open this new gateway to Asia, I am excited to expand Utah’s global reach and foster new cultural and business partnerships. Delta’s commitment to our state underscores Utah’s growing role on the world stage,” Cox said in the Delta release.
The plane selected by Delta for this route accommodates 306 seats, 32 of which will be suites with lie-flat seating and four-course meals.
Senate President Stuart Adams, R-Layton, also applauded the new flight, saying in a social media post that with more than 35,000 Korean Americans living in Utah, actions like these enrich the fabric of the community.
“The new nonstop flight from Salt Lake City to Seoul reinforces our status as not just the crossroads of the West, but of the world,” Adams wrote. “This direct route enhances travel convenience and further establishes Utah as a key hub for international business and tourism, driving economic growth and benefiting local enterprises.”
The governor has been on a trade mission since Tuesday along with a delegation of 47 Utah businesses and organizations. The trip will last until Oct. 4. In addition to Seoul, he’ll visit Tokyo with the intent of strengthening ties in manufacturing, aerospace and defense, life sciences, financial services and fintech, according to a news release issued by the governor’s office.
“The Korean economy, much like Utah’s, has delivered sustained prosperity through innovation and growth,” Cox said. “Through shared values and mutual respect, President Yoon and I are committed to increased collaboration, which we hope will serve as a global example of how two regions can address challenging issues and create lasting positive change.”
Cox is also scheduled to visit the University of Utah’s Asia Campus on Saturday, ahead of its 10th anniversary this year.
The trade mission to South Korea was organized by the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity and World Trade Center Utah, aiming to support and expand the 200 Utah-based companies that already do business with South Korea.
Last year, the governor’s trade missions to other countries including France, the United Kingdom and Mexico generated $193.25 million in new trade opportunities for the state, according to the governor’s office.
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