Gov. Tina Kotek and a coalition of state business and economic development leaders left Oregon on Thursday for a mission to South Korea and Japan intended to expand opportunities for trade and tourism between the state and the countries.
During the trip, the delegation will meet with officials of travel agencies in both countries, executives of several major corporations and leaders of major airlines in the region, Kotek’s office said.
The group, which also includes three staffers from Kotek’s office and her wife, left Thursday and is expected to return Oct. 30, according to the governor’s office.
Kotek’s office acknowledged that the trip comes amid a significant legal battle between the state and the Trump administration, which has sought for weeks to deploy federal troops into Portland to crack down on protesters around the Immigration and Customs Enforcement building in the city.
“The governor will closely monitor the situation in Oregon during the mission and will assess daily whether she needs to return immediately to the state,” said Lucas Bezerra, a spokesperson for the governor.
Planning for the trip started in May 2024, according to Bezerra.
In a press release, leaders of the Port of Portland, Travel Oregon and the state’s department of agriculture emphasized the importance of maintaining strong relationships with business and government leaders in South Korea.
Lisa Charpilloz Hanson, director of the state’s agriculture agency, said a primary goal of the mission is to “unlock market access” for products including frozen berries, sweet cherries, hay, straw, seafood and nursery products.
“Expanding our reach into these markets will not only strengthen Oregon’s economy but also provide essential support to our family farms, which are the backbone of our agricultural industry,” she said.
Oregon politicians have long participated in trade missions to other countries. Former Gov. Kate Brown visited Vietnam, Japan and South Korea while in office, accompanied by business leaders and economic development officials.
Kotek isn’t the only Oregon politician that has recently sought to boost business ties with other countries through an international trip. A bipartisan group of House lawmakers recently returned from a trade mission to Vietnam, and a handful of lawmakers of both parties are currently on a similar trip in China.
“As uncertainty grows in Washington D.C., it’s more important than ever for Oregon to stay focused, protect our interests and strengthen the partnerships that help keep our economy strong,” Kotek said in the press release. “Our longstanding and emerging relationships in Asia are vital to Oregon’s future, helping us grow, innovate and weather any storm.”
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