Governor Daniels in Korea - 13 WTHR Indianapolis

Kris Kirschner/Eyewitness News

Indianapolis - Governor Mitch Daniels was in South Korea this past weekend as part of his ten-day Asian trade mission.

So far, the Governor has announced hundreds of new jobs for Hoosiers and Sunday he honored Indiana soldiers.

Japanese companies are a driving force in the Indiana economy. More than 200 set up shop here employing about 40,000 Hoosiers.

In the week since he arrived in Asia, Governor Mitch Daniels announced 335 more jobs.  

Now in South Korea, the Governor hopes to build that same kind of trust.  An investment, that like Japan, he hopes will pay off in the long run.
    
Indianapolis Star Business Reporter J.K. Wall is traveling with the Governor and told Eyewitness News Sunday, "He sees Korean companies want to make investments build plants in the U.S. So the governor's strategy is to talk to auto suppliers who might want to locate in Indiana and supply Korean and other automakers."

However, the governor's trip isn't all business. While in Seoul, Daniels met with about a dozen Indiana soldiers ate lunch at the PX and visited the demilitarized zone between North and South Korea.

What Wall described as surprising and fascinating.

"This zone is actually quite beautiful.  Trees and hilly terrain, a natural habitat except for the military checkpoints," said Wall by phone.

Governor Daniels visited the War Memorial in Seoul remembering the 900 Hoosier soldiers who died during the Korean war by placing white flowers at a plaque in their honor.

Monday the Governor meets with leaders from two Korean businesses located here in Indiana.  
He'll also speak at a Rotary club luncheon and a reception at the home of the U.S. Ambassador to Korea.