More than four decades ago, the State of South Carolina established its first international presence with an office in Europe. Today, S.C. Commerce has representation on the ground in five different countries, with its newest being in South Korea. While visiting South Carolina last week, we caught up with Jonathan Cleave, the managing director of the South Korea office.
Q: Last year, South Korea-based Samsung announced plans to establish a major manufacturing operation in Newberry County. Do you think that decision will impact other South Korean firms that might think about investing in South Carolina?
A: Yes, certainly. Not only will some of Samsung’s existing suppliers be keen to follow the giant to the state, but you might even see one or two new companies introduced into the chain for the new South Carolina plant. I would also expect there to be strong interest in the state from service providers such as banks that will want to serve the burgeoning Korean community. Beyond that, due to the sheer size of Samsung in the Korean economy, I think we will see more serious consideration given to the state even from companies that operate in industries unrelated to home appliances.
Q: After visiting South Carolina and meeting with various partners and allies last week, from the South Korean perspective, what do you see as the state’s most important assets?
A: I think geography favors South Carolina – it is well placed to service industry and customers throughout the Southeast region and East Coast of the country. The state also has good transportation infrastructure, which is important to Korean companies. One key consideration for Korean firms will be the speed and ease of doing business; and, having spent some time there, I am confident that South Carolina has the right systems, the right people and the right attitude to impress potential Korean investors.
Q: What are some of the aspects of your current role as managing director of the South Korea office that inspire you the most?
A: It has to be the thought that our team can contribute directly to improving the lives of the people of South Carolina. Additionally, I appreciate the idea that we can raise awareness about the state in a country that has a strong and increasingly sophisticated manufacturing sector that should see South Carolina as one of the more natural choices for their U.S. operations.
Q: As the newest of Team South Carolina’s international offices, what’s something that you’d like to see your office accomplish in 2018?
A: I would like us to secure a large investment into the state within 2018, although that might be a tight timeline. Ultimately, I would like Team Korea to contribute to developing South Carolina as one of the first states that a Korean firm considers when looking at the U.S. market.
Q: What’s something about South Korea and its business community that may surprise South Carolinians?
A: Korean corporations tend to be very hierarchical, and Koreans as a people appreciate speed and decisiveness, meaning that once an internal decision has been made, firms can move very quickly. Culturally, Koreans tend to be quite direct, so you usually know where you stand pretty quickly.
And, on a lighter note:
Q: What book, movie or TV show could you not do without?
A: George Orwell’s 1984.
Q: What’s the best sporting event you’ve ever attended?
A: A bull fight in Medellin, Colombia – tough to watch but an unforgettable experience.