ATLANTA – State Representative B.J. Pak (R-Lilburn) led the Georgia House of Representatives today in welcoming to the House Floor Consulate General He-beom Kim, the Consulate General in Atlanta for the Republic of Korea. As introduced by Rep. Pak, House Resolution 1338 recognized Kim for his many accomplishments, which include fostering outstanding trade relations between Korea and the State of Georgia.
“Consulate General He-beom Kim is a man of extraordinary talent and leadership,” said Rep. Pak. “It is an honor to recognize him in the House for his initiatives to increase trade between Korea and Georgia.”
The Republic of Korea is Georgia’s 15th largest export market, with the nation importing an average of $499 million in goods from Georgia. As the 5th largest importer of American agriculture products, the Republic of Korea also supports Georgia’s number one industry, agriculture.
In recent years, the Republic of Korea has taken active steps to foster its mutually beneficial relationship with Georgia. This began in 2007 when the nation signed the United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA). By eliminating burdensome tariffs, this trade agreement has improved market access for Georgia’s computer and technology products, as well as the state’s transportation products.
Before accepting his position as the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Atlanta, He-beom Kim served his home country as the first secretary of the Korean Embassy in the United States in 1997; assistant press secretary to the president in 2001; director-general of the Public Relations Support Bureau for the Ministry of Culture, Sport, and Tourism (MCST) in 2008; director and assistant minister of the Korean Culture and Information Service for the MCST in 2009; and the head assistant minister of the Office of Public Relations for Presidential Committee of the G-20 Summit in 2010.
Consulate General He-beom Kim holds a bachelor’s degree in public administration from Yonsei University, a master’s degree in public administration from Seoul National University, and a master’s degree in communication arts from Cornell University.
For more information about Consulate General He-beom Kim and the House Resolution recognizing his accomplishments, please click here.
Representative B.J. Pak is the first American of Korean descent to be elected to the state House. He represents the citizens of District 102, which includes portions of Gwinnett County. He was elected into the House of Representatives in 2010 and currently serves on the Health & Human Services, Judiciary Non-Civil, and the Code Revision committees.
# # #