Murphy announces driver’s license agreements between N.J., South Korea

New Jersey and South Korea have inked a reciprocity agreement that would allow New Jerseyans living in South Korea to easily convert their driver’s licenses, with the same agreement in reverse.

Gov. Phil Murphy announced the cooperative agreement between the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission and the National Police Agency of the Republic of Korea during his East Asia economic mission earlier today.

“I believe this agreement is an example of government at its best. Our leaders have come together to make life simpler for all of our residents, both here in South Korea and back in New Jersey,” Murphy said. “Our state is stronger when we open our doors to create new economic opportunities and innovate new solutions to our greatest challenges. The last thing that should ever stand in the way of New Jerseyans and South Koreans working together is administrative hurdles.”

In a meeting with Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, Murphy established a direct relationship between New Jersey and South Korea’s capital city to work on economic growth between the two regions.

“Seventy years ago, the United States and South Korea began an allyship that marked a new age of peace for its citizens and the world,” stated Murphy. “Today, alongside Mr. Oh Se-hoon, on behalf of the state of New Jersey, I am proud to build upon that promise of progress made decades ago. With this new partnership, New Jersey and Seoul will work together to pursue economic growth and strengthen cultural bonds between our regions.”

Seoul’s population is about the same as New Jersey’s.

Murphy also announced the signing of four agreements between universities in New Jersey and South Korea to promote collaborated research and exchange programs.

Rutgers, New Jersey Institute of Technology, and Kean entered into the agreements.

“We are excited to deepen our bilateral educational exchange with South Korean institutions, offering both South Korean and New Jersey students an opportunity to expand their academic horizons and strengthen the relationship between our two countries,” Murphy said.  “These agreements lay the groundwork for opportunities that will support our state’s economic growth and promote international innovation. It is our hope that these collaborations will foster lasting partnerships between these premier institutions.”

Maternal Care

First Lady Tammy Murphy visited the Maternal and Child Health Promotion Center within the Yangcheon-gu Public Health Center, in Seoul, South Korea, where New Jersey Economic Development Authority CEO Tim Sullivan signed an agreement to collaborate on clinical work and best practices.

Reducing maternal and infant mortality has been Tammy Murphy’s signature issue as First Lady.

We are taking many important lessons away from today’s visit, which will fuel our work to develop our Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Center in Trenton. Likewise, we hope the staff of the Center can benefit from our experience in this critical healthcare specialty,” she said. “The MOU signed today cements this valuable partnership, which will advance our common work and keep us both on the cutting edge of maternal health.

Supply Chains

Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated (PSEG) will maintain a partnership with two South Korean energy companies, Cheryong Electric and Hoban Group’s Taihan Cable & Solution, two secure emergency parts during a crisis.  The companies came together during the COVID-19 pandemic to secure transformers and power cables.

“Just about every advanced economy in the world was battered by supply chain snarls after the pandemic hit, and New Jersey was no exception,” Murphy said.  “Fortunately for New Jersey, two South Korean companies worked with PSEG to help them keep the lights on for millions of customers.”

PSEG President and CEO Ralph LaRossa said the partnerships “can continue to grow in the years to come.”

“Companies in Japan and South Korea would benefit from deepening ties to our state and accessing our highly skilled, educated, and diverse workforce, best-in-class universities, and our prime location in one of the most populated and interconnected areas of the country,” LaRossa said.

Murphy is on a nine-day economic mission to East Asia.