Seoul: Gov. Bill Lee of the U.S. state of Tennessee on Thursday met with the head of SK On Co. to discuss ways to enhance cooperation and strengthen ties, industry sources said. Lee visited SK On's headquarters in central Seoul earlier in the day and had talks with Lee Seok-hee, chief executive officer (CEO) of the Korean battery manufacturer, according to the sources.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the meeting focused on the planned operation of SK On's plant currently under construction in Tennessee. This facility is part of BlueOval SK, a joint venture between SK On and Ford Motor Co., and is a key element in a 16 trillion-won (US$11.2 billion) investment plan to establish three manufacturing facilities in the United States. The Tennessee plant, with a capacity of 45 gigawatt-hours (GWh), is anticipated to commence operations next year.
In addition to discussing the operational aspects of the new facility, Gov. Lee and Lee Seok-hee explored strategies to enhance cooperation with the local community in Tennessee. The governor's visit underscores the importance of international partnerships in fostering economic growth and development in the region.
During his stay in Seoul, Gov. Lee is also expected to meet with other South Korean companies that have a significant presence in Tennessee, including LG Chem Ltd., LG Energy Solution Ltd., and LG Electronics Inc. LG Chem is in the process of constructing a cathode materials plant in Clarksville, while LG Energy Solution is operating a battery manufacturing facility in collaboration with General Motors Co. LG Electronics maintains washer and dryer production lines in Tennessee.
This marks Gov. Lee's second visit to South Korea, following his initial trip in 2019, highlighting the ongoing efforts to bolster economic ties between Tennessee and South Korean enterprises.