Gov. Brian Kemp visits Korea, DMZ: '1,800 meters apart'

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp left Monday on a trip to Asia — his sixth overseas since taking office in 2019 —  to focus on economic partnerships for Georgia. 

He and first lady Marty Kemp arrived in Korea on Wednesday as part of 15-person delegation and will return to Atlanta next week.

The economic development mission to the Republic of Korea is focused on visiting current Korean businesses that operate in Georgia and luring new ones to the state. Planned visits include meetings with LG Group, SK Group, Hanwha Qcells and CJ Foodville, the Associated Press reported.

AP also reported that the trip included a reception in conjunction with Hyundai Motor Group but no meetings with political or cultural leaders.

Jessica Atwell, a spokesperson for the Georgia Department of Economic Development, told AP the reception will be “an opportunity to bring many partners together in one place to honor the partnerships we have cultivated over nearly four decades.”

The Kemps also made their way to the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), which runs across the Korean Peninsula and was established in 1953 under the provisions of the Korean Armistice Agreement.

"For decades the Korean Demilitarized Zone has served as a boundary between democracy and tyranny," Kemp said in a statement released by his office. "It was truly humbling to reflect on the service, sacrifice, and legacy of the thousands of Koreans and Americans who fought and died to preserve the freedoms of the Korean people. Our visit is also a powerful reminder of America’s responsibility to stand with our allies in championing freedom and liberty around the world, and the strong partnership our state and nation enjoy with the Republic of Korea."

In a video from the DMZ, the Kemps are pictured on a balcony overlooking the zone as he notes that the South Korean and North Korean flags are just 1,800 meters apart.