Mayor Hou and Representative Lee (left) shake hands.

On April 18, 2025, Representative Lee Eun-Ho of the Korean Mission in Taipei paid an official visit to Mayor Hou Yu-ih and discussed tourism, economic and trade development, and Taiwan-Korea relations.
 
During his remarks, Mayor Hou expressed that he was deeply impressed by South Korea during his previous visit to Seoul. He emphasized the close and complementary economic and trade ties between Taiwan and South Korea and highlighted New Taipei City as having the most comprehensive AI industry supply chain in Taiwan, with as many as 268 AI-related companies. In recent years, Google, ASML, and GIGABYTE have all established facilities in New Taipei City, presenting opportunities for further collaboration with South Korea in AI development.
 
Mayor Hou also remarked that Korean music, dramas, and cheerleading culture are very popular in Taiwan, and that there is frequent travel between the two countries. He pointed out that New Taipei boasts rich tourism resources and is a top destination for many international visitors in Taiwan. Mayor Hou also extended a warm invitation to the Representative to visit more often and enjoy New Taipei’s scenic mountains and waters, expressing hope for more exchanges between New Taipei and cities in Korea.
 

Representative Lee Eun-Ho of the Korean Mission in Taipei (left) pays official visit to Mayor Hou at the New Taipei City Government.


Mayor Hou (right) and Representative Lee (left) exchange commemorative liquor and pose for a photo together.

Representative Lee stated that South Korea, Taiwan, and the United States could collaborate on AI development, citing the recent partnership between TSMC, NVIDIA, and South Korea’s SK Group for AI chip development. The Representative also noted Taiwan and Korea’s thriving trade, with Taiwan ranking as Korea’s fifth-largest export destination last year. As many Korean companies have been expanding overseas in recent years, he expressed a strong willingness to bridge South Korea with investment opportunities in New Taipei.
 
Representative Lee also shared that during his two-plus years in Taiwan, he and his wife had visited scenic destinations such as the North Coast and Baishawan Beach, and that he is very familiar with New Taipei. He especially enjoys driving along the North Coast, which is his favorite driving route. He mentioned that the soon-to-be-opened Danjiang Bridge and Seoul’s Dongdaemun Design Plaza are both designed by the world-renowned architect Zaha Hadid. Once completed, the Danjiang Bridge will connect to Taoyuan International Airport, creating a new travel route in New Taipei for international visitors. Representative Lee also expressed hope for increased cooperation between Korea and New Taipei in the future.


Visitors from the Korean Mission in Taipei and members from the New Taipei City Government pose for a group photo after the meeting. Pictured from left to right is Professor Chen Yi-fan Researcher Lee In-Ho, Section Chief of the Political Affairs Division Park Jae Il, Representative Lee Eun-Ho, Mayor Hou, Economic Development Department Commissioner Sheng Hsiao-rung, Secretary-General Yao Ching-yu, and Tourism and Travel Department Commissioner Yang Tsung-min.

Visitors from the Korean Mission in Taipei include Representative Lee Eun-Ho, Section Chief of the Political Affairs Division Park Jae Il, and Researcher Lee In-Ho. Secretary-General Yao Ching-yu, Economic Development Department Commissioner Sheng Hsiao-rung, Tourism and Travel Department Commissioner Yang Tsung-min, and Professor Chen Yi-fan of Tamkang University received the guests with Mayor Hou.