Philadelphia Councilman David Oh’s pitches city’s appeal during South Korea trip

Philadelphia City Councilman at Large David Oh has a long to-do list following his recent trip to South Korea.

Oh, the first Asian-American elected to Council, was there to pitch Philadelphia as a destination for travel and investment opportunities and to collaborate with representatives of South Korea’s government and business sectors.

“The world economy is very important to Philadelphia, and we do need to be a part of it,” Oh said, noting he was invited by South Korea’s Foreign Ministry. “For me to go over, I needed to have a reason why it would help Philadelphia directly.”

Among the highlights of the trip, Oh had discussions with South Korea’s National Independence Center to bring a major international event to the city during the 100th Anniversary of the Declaration of the Korean Independence Movement, which occurred in Philadelphia in 1919. Oh sees the trip as a chance to strengthen relations with South Korea as well as help Philadelphia’s Korean residents.

At a meeting with Mr. Hyoung-zhin Kim, Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs and his staff, Oh discussed the potential establishment of a satellite consular office in Philadelphia, an effort led by the Korean American Community in the city and supported by a city council resolution.

“We have Korean nationals living here in Philadelphia who want to go overseas and they need help with documentation,” Oh said. “Anytime we’re facilitating travel — especially between some of our corporations or universities — or possible investors, that’s very helpful.”

For more on Oh’s trip to South Korea, including his work with trade missions and his thoughts on being the rare Korean-American elected official in a major city, Press play at the top of the page.