Kyrgyzstan RPCV Jodi Kiely is an investment promotion officer at the Busan and Jinhae Free Economic Zone Authority in Korea



Kyrgyzstan RPCV Jodi Kiely is an investment promotion officer at the Busan and Jinhae Free Economic Zone Authority in Korea

Korean adoptee promotes investment in Busan zone

January 27, 2005 ? A Korean-born adoptee who returned to the country now has the job of promoting foreign investment in free trade areas in Busan and Jinhae.

Jodi Kiely, a 27-year-old American, is an investment promotion officer at the Busan and Jinhae Free Economic Zone Authority.

"I was told there was going to be a lot of work ahead and I should be prepared," Ms. Kiely said. "I am glad to work for the country that gave birth to me."

Ms. Kiely said the agency aimed to attract $300 million in foreign investment this year, and was already in talks with various groups on drafting contracts for more than 10 major projects in the first half of the year.

Ms. Kiely is responsible for doing English presentations and preparing English newsletters for domestic and overseas investors. She also consults with foreign investors who come to Korea.

Ms. Kiely began working for the agency in August. Previously, she worked for the Korea Institute of Public Finance and followed her boss at the institute, former director Chang Soo-man, who is the first commissioner of the Busan and Jinhae Free Economic Zone Authority.

In the past, Ms. Kiely worked as an English teacher at a high school in Kyrgyzstan as a member of the Peace Corps. Because of her proficiency in English as well as Kyrgyzstan, Russian and Spanish, Ms. Kiely contributes a lot to the agency.

"Foreign investors are more concerned about labor issues than anything else," Ms. Kiely said. They ask if it is okay to invest in Korea despite prevalent strikes. "Labor unrest needs to be reduced," she added.

She was adopted by a doctor and his family in the United States eight months after her birth, and studied journalism at the University of St. Thomas.

Asked whether she wants to find her biological parents, Ms. Kiely said she hoped that her biological parents would not be sorry they gave her up for adoption.

Because of that situation, she was able to progress this far and work for her mother country, Ms. Kiely said.

She said she did not plan to search for her parents, but she would be very happy to meet them.

by Kim Sang-jin <jbiz91@joongang.co.kr>

When this story was posted in January 2005, this was on the front page of PCOL:

January 22, 2005: This Week's Top Stories Spread Freedom — but not at gunpoint 22 Jan Dodd has ring side seat at Inauguration 21 Jan Peace Corps works in Georgia 21 Jan Trey Aven monitored Ukraine elections 21 Jan RPCV group makes quiet indie-pop 21 Jan Anthony Shriver considers race for Florida Governor 20 Jan Thomas Tighe says internet brought funds to DRI 20 Jan Stacy Jupiter researches Australia ecosystems 20 Jan Libby Garvey is education activist 20 Jan David McIntyre captures medals on land and in water 19 Jan Carol Bellamy new president of World Learning 18 Jan Reed Hastings crossed "Latino Caucus'' 18 Jan RPCVs sponsor Freeze for Food to aid Colombia farmers 18 Jan RPCVs urge Bush to aid Democracy in Ukraine 17 Jan Tom Petri proposes changes in student loan program 17 Jan Golden Globe Win for Jamie Foxx in RPCV's "Ray" 17 Jan Stephen Smith is new consul-general in Australia 17 Jan

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Ask Not As our country prepares for the inauguration of a President, we remember one of the greatest speeches of the 20th century and how his words inspired us. "And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country. My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man."

Coleman: Peace Corps mission and expansion Senator Norm Coleman, Chairman of the Senate Subcommittee that oversees the Peace Corps, says in an op-ed, A chance to show the world America at its best: "Even as that worthy agency mobilizes a "Crisis Corps" of former Peace Corps volunteers to assist with tsunami relief, I believe an opportunity exists to rededicate ourselves to the mission of the Peace Corps and its expansion to touch more and more lives."

RPCVs active in new session of Congress In the new session of Congress that begins this week, RPCV Congressman Tom Petri has a proposal to bolster Social Security, Sam Farr supported the objection to the Electoral College count, James Walsh has asked for a waiver to continue heading a powerful Appropriations subcommittee, Chris Shays will no longer be vice chairman of the Budget Committee, and Mike Honda spoke on the floor honoring late Congressman Robert Matsui.

Latest: RPCVs and Peace Corps provide aid Peace Corps made an appeal last week to all Thailand RPCV's to consider serving again through the Crisis Corps and more than 30 RPCVs have responded so far. RPCVs: Read what an RPCV-led NGO is doing about the crisis an how one RPCV is headed for Sri Lanka to help a nation he grew to love. Question: Is Crisis Corps going to send RPCVs to India, Indonesia and nine other countries that need help?

The World's Broken Promise to our Children Former Director Carol Bellamy, now head of Unicef, says that the appalling conditions endured today by half the world's children speak to a broken promise. Too many governments are doing worse than neglecting children -- they are making deliberate, informed choices that hurt children. Read her op-ed and Unicef's report on the State of the World's Children 2005.

Changing of the Guard With Lloyd Pierson's departure, Marie Wheat has been named acting Chief of Staff and Chief of Operations responsible for the day-to-day management of the Peace Corps. Although Wheat is not an RPCV and has limited overseas experience, in her two years at the agency she has come to be respected as someone with good political skills who listens and delegates authority and we wish her the best in her new position.

Our debt to Bill Moyers Former Peace Corps Deputy Director Bill Moyers leaves PBS next week to begin writing his memoir of Lyndon Baines Johnson. Read what Moyers says about journalism under fire, the value of a free press, and the yearning for democracy. "We have got to nurture the spirit of independent journalism in this country," he warns, "or we'll not save capitalism from its own excesses, and we'll not save democracy from its own inertia."

RPCV safe after Terrorist Attack RPCV Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley, the U.S. consul general in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia survived Monday's attack on the consulate without injury. Five consular employees and four others were killed. Abercrombie-Winstanley, the first woman to hold the position, has been an outspoken advocate of rights for Arab women and has met with Saudi reformers despite efforts by Saudi leaders to block the discussions.

Is Gaddi Leaving? Rumors are swirling that Peace Corps Director Vasquez may be leaving the administration. We think Director Vasquez has been doing a good job and if he decides to stay to the end of the administration, he could possibly have the same sort of impact as a Loret Ruppe Miller. If Vasquez has decided to leave, then Bob Taft, Peter McPherson, Chris Shays, or Jody Olsen would be good candidates to run the agency. Latest: For the record, Peace Corps has no comment on the rumors.

The Birth of the Peace Corps UMBC's Shriver Center and the Maryland Returned Volunteers hosted Scott Stossel, biographer of Sargent Shriver, who spoke on the Birth of the Peace Corps. This is the second annual Peace Corps History series - last year's speaker was Peace Corps Director Jack Vaughn.

Read the stories and leave your comments.

By Dan (219.82.171.145) on Wednesday, May 04, 2005 - 4:11 am: Edit Post

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