Michigan governor courts Korean businesses' investments

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Monday urged Korean businesses to invest in advanced technologies in the U.S. state during a business luncheon hosted by KITA. Whitmer, KITA Chairman Yoon Jin-sik and company representatives discussed strengthening bilateral cooperation. Whitmer said Michigan is ready to work with Korean companies on next-generation technologies, while Yoon said the meeting could deepen cooperation in supply chain resilience, trade and investment.

The luncheon was hosted by the Korea International Trade Association, or KITA, and included Whitmer, KITA Chairman Yoon Jin-sik, the Korea-U.S. Economic Council and representatives from Samsung SDI, LG Energy Solution and Hansae Mobility.

The Michigan delegation also included Michigan Economic Development Corp. CEO Quentin Messer Jr. and other officials.

Michigan houses the headquarters of General Motors, Ford and Stellantis, and MEDC said 96 of the top 100 auto suppliers to North America have a presence in the state.

LG Energy Solution has run its Holland battery plant since 2012, launched another battery plant in Lansing last month and has invested more than $5 billion in Michigan.

Samsung SDI entered Michigan in 2015, invested $62 million for a technology research center in Auburn Hills in 2018 and invested another $41 million in 2023 to double its battery pack production capacity there.

Published Sep 14, 2026 2:59 pm KST

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer speaks during the Make it in Michigan Business Luncheon at the Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas hotel in southern Seoul, Monday. The luncheon was hosted by the Korea International Trade Association (KITA) and participated by Korean companies operating in the state or considering investments. Courtesy of KITA

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Monday called on Korean businesses to invest in advanced technologies in the U.S. state.

She made the call during a business luncheon hosted by the Korea International Trade Association (KITA), where Whitmer, KITA Chairman Yoon Jin-sik and representatives from the Korea-U.S. Economic Council, Samsung SDI, LG Energy Solution, Hansae Mobility and other companies operating or considering investments in Michigan discussed ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation.

The Michigan delegation included Whitmer, Michigan Economic Development Corp. (MEDC) CEO Quentin Messer Jr. and other officials.

“Michigan is ready to work with Korean companies to develop next-generation technologies, backed by our highly skilled workforce, advanced manufacturing capabilities and strong supply chains,” Whitmer was quoted as saying.

“Building on the decades long partnership between Michigan and Korea, we look forward to work with Korean companies to open new opportunities in future industries.”

Whitmer has led efforts to revive Michigan’s auto industry and attract investment in next-generation batteries and clean energy supply chains. Her economic policies have been credited with strengthening the state’s industrial competitiveness.

Korea International Trade Association (KITA) Chairman Yoon Jin-sik during the Make it in Michigan Business Luncheon at the Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas hotel in southern Seoul, Monday. The luncheon was hosted by KITA and participated by Korean companies operating in the state or considering investments. Courtesy of KITA

Michigan is one of the U.S.' automotive industry hubs, housing the headquarters of General Motors, Ford, Stellantis and other top players. Ninety-six of the top 100 auto suppliers to North America have a presence in Michigan, according to MEDC, making it a region of strategic importance for Korean companies as well.

LG Energy Solution has been running its battery plant in Holland since 2012, which is the first Korean-owned battery plant in the U.S., and launched another battery plant in Lansing last month. So far, the company has invested more than $5 billion in the state.

Samsung SDI entered Michigan in 2015 by acquiring Magna’s battery plant in Auburn Hills. In 2018, the company invested $62 million to establish a technology research center in the same city, which also serves as its North American headquarters. In 2023, Samsung SDI invested another $41 million to double its battery pack production capacity there.

“Michigan has long been the center of the traditional automotive industry and is now emerging as the hub for next-generation mobility, batteries and advanced manufacturing,” Yoon said.

“I hope this meeting will help Korean companies and Michigan build stronger cooperation in supply chain resilience, trade and investment, with Governor Whitmer’s continued interest and support.”

密歇根州州长格雷琴·惠特默周一在韩国工业技术研究院（KITA）主办的商务午餐会上，敦促韩国企业投资密歇根州的先进技术。惠特默、KITA会长尹镇植以及企业代表讨论了加强双边合作。惠特默表示，密歇根州已准备好与韩国企业在下一代技术领域展开合作，尹镇植则表示，此次会晤有望深化在供应链韧性、贸易和投资方面的合作。

此次午宴由韩国国际贸易协会（KITA）主办，出席者包括惠特默、KITA 会长尹镇植、韩美经济委员会以及三星 SDI、LG 能源解决方案和韩世移动的代表。

密歇根州代表团成员还包括密歇根州经济发展公司首席执行官昆汀·梅塞尔二世和其他官员。

通用汽车、福特和斯特兰蒂斯的总部都设在密歇根州，密歇根州经济发展公司表示，北美前 100 大汽车供应商中有 96 家在该州设有分支机构。

LG能源解决方案公司自2012年以来一直在运营其位于荷兰的电池工厂，上个月在兰辛开设了另一家电池工厂，并在密歇根州投资了超过50亿美元。

三星SDI于2015年进入密歇根州，2018年在奥本山投资6200万美元建立了一个技术研发中心，并于2023年再投资4100万美元，使其在当地的电池组产能翻番。

发布于2026年9月14日下午2:59（韩国标准时间）

密歇根州州长格雷琴·惠特默周一在首尔南部的首尔帕纳斯洲际酒店举行的“密歇根制造”商业午餐会上发表讲话。此次午餐会由韩国国际贸易协会（KITA）主办，在密歇根州运营或有意投资的韩国企业均参加了此次活动。图片由KITA提供。

密歇根州州长格雷琴·惠特默周一呼吁韩国企业投资该州的先进技术。

她在韩国国际贸易协会 (KITA) 主办的商务午餐会上发出这一呼吁。当时，惠特默、KITA 会长尹镇植以及来自韩美经济委员会、三星 SDI、LG 能源解决方案、韩赛移动等在密歇根州运营或考虑投资的公司的代表，共同探讨了加强双边合作的方式。

密歇根州代表团成员包括惠特默州长、密歇根州经济发展公司 (MEDC) 首席执行官昆汀·梅塞尔二世及其他官员。

据报道，惠特默表示：“密歇根州已准备好与韩国公司合作开发下一代技术，我们拥有高技能的劳动力、先进的制造能力和强大的供应链作为后盾。”

“基于密歇根大学和韩国之间长达数十年的合作关系，我们期待与韩国企业合作，在未来的产业领域开拓新的机遇。”

惠特默一直致力于振兴密歇根州的汽车工业，并吸引对下一代电池和清洁能源供应链的投资。她的经济政策被认为增强了该州的产业竞争力。

韩国国际贸易协会（KITA）会长尹镇植周一在首尔南部的首尔帕纳斯洲际酒店出席了“在密歇根州创业”商务午餐会。此次午餐会由KITA主办，在密歇根州运营或有意投资的韩国企业参加了此次活动。图片由KITA提供。

密歇根州是美国汽车工业中心之一，通用汽车、福特、Stellantis 等众多汽车巨头的总部均设于此。据密歇根州经济发展公司 (MEDC) 的数据显示，北美排名前 100 的汽车供应商中，有 96 家在密歇根州设有分支机构，这使得密歇根州对韩国企业而言也具有重要的战略意义。

LG能源解决方案公司自2012年起在荷兰市运营其电池工厂，这是美国首家韩国企业拥有的电池工厂。上个月，该公司在兰辛市又开设了一家电池工厂。迄今为止，该公司已在康涅狄格州投资超过50亿美元。

三星SDI于2015年收购了麦格纳位于密歇根州奥本山的电池工厂，正式进军密歇根州市场。2018年，该公司投资6200万美元在同一城市建立了一个技术研发中心，该中心同时也是其北美总部所在地。2023年，三星SDI再次投资4100万美元，将其在该工厂的电池组产能翻番。

Yoon表示：“密歇根州长期以来一直是传统汽车工业的中心，现在正在崛起成为下一代移动出行、电池和先进制造业的中心。”

“我希望在惠特默州长的持续关注和支持下，此次会晤能够帮助韩国企业和密歇根州在供应链韧性、贸易和投资方面建立更紧密的合作。”