Gov. David Ige will be traveling to Seoul and Tokyo through Nov. 12.

The South Korean government invited Gov. and Dawn Amano-Ige to participate in various informational briefings and events on their first visit to the country. The governor will meet with various Korean ministries and officials to promote Korea-Hawaii relationships, cooperation and economic development. 

In Japan, the governor will attend the U.S.- Japan Council’s 2015 Annual Conference which convenes each fall to explore topics that provide opportunities for growth and cooperation between the United States and Japan. This year, the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, the conference will highlight the importance of the enduring partnership of our two countries. 

The cost of the Korean portion of the trip is $8,286.71. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea is covering the cost of the trip for Gov. Ige, Mrs. Ige and Protocol Officer Rob Lee, who is accompanying the governor on this portion of the trip. 

The governor’s Chief of Staff Mike McCartney will accompany Gov. Ige on the Japan portion of the trip, which will cost approximately $5,000.34 and will be covered by the state. Mrs. Ige will accompany her husband on this portion of the trip at her own expense. 

Lt. Gov. Shan Tsutsui will serve as acting governor while Ige, who left Tuesday, is out of the state. 

Last month Ige and his wife spent eight days in Asia and participated in various ceremonies and events marking the 30th anniversary of Hawaii’s sister-state relationships with Okinawa and Guangdong Province in China. 

Gov. and Mrs. Ige were part of a mission led by the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. Accompanying the governor was Scott Tome, Executive Services Assistant. The estimated cost of the Okinawa-China trip was $8,870.99.