Seoul: Prime Minister Kim Min-seok met with Gov. Greg Gianforte of the U.S. state of Montana on Monday and asked that he take an interest in the issue of improving the U.S. visa system, Kim's office said. Kim made the request during their meeting at the government complex as calls have grown to change U.S. visa rules to prevent the recurrence of last month's surprise detention of hundreds of South Korean workers in the U.S. state of Georgia.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Prime Minister Kim emphasized the importance of ensuring smooth entry and activities for South Korean nationals, including businesspeople and students, to foster a stable U.S. investment environment and enhance people-to-people exchanges. He urged the state government to focus on improving and remedying the U.S. visa system.
The discussions between the two officials also covered the expanding trade relationship between South Korea and Montana, with an emphasis on sectors such as agriculture, energy, and advanced technologies. Governor Gianforte was visiting South Korea at the head of an economic delegation from his state.