Korea’s Entry into OECD to Boost Georgia Investment

Korea’s entry into the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) may boost Korean investment in Georgia and Atlanta, according to Thomas Y. Choi, a prominent member of Atlanta’s Korean-American community and a director of the Korean Association of Greater Atlanta (KAGA).

Mr. Choi told Globalfax that Korea is expected to be admitted into the Paris-based OECD next year when the eyes of the world will be focused on Atlanta as the host to the Centennial Olympic Games.  Admission to the OECD should accelerate the liberalization of Korea’s investment regulations, he added.

“I think the Olympics will really expose Atlanta to Korean businesses,” said Mr. Choi, stressing that the exposure will come at the same time Korean companies will be investing more globally.

And he predicted that Korean companies will follow the lead of Japanese companies in expanding their operations from California to Georgia.

As an example, he cited the Korean firm Union Foods, which has completed a $30 million instant noodle manufacturing plant in McDonough.  “The first plant was in California, the second in Georgia,” he said.

Mr. Choi may be reached by calling (404) 457-9630; fax (404) 457-5309.

                                                                        by Philip Campbell