Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in San Francisco

The Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in San Francisco covers Northern California (encompassing 48 of California’s 58 counties), as well as Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming. Within our jurisdiction, approximately 280,000 Korean Americans actively contribute across diverse fields, including IT, law, medicine, and the arts. Notably, San Francisco holds historical significance as the city where Koreans, who originally immigrated to Hawaii about 120 years ago, first settled on the U.S. mainland.

Many Koreans in our jurisdiction play pivotal roles in the global hub of innovation. Their contributions not only advance the rights and interests of Koreans in the U.S., but also support the expansion of our high-tech companies into the American market. In addition to safeguarding the safety and rights of Koreans in our jurisdiction, the Consulate General is committed to fostering the development of the next generation of Koreans who are essential to the continued growth and prosperity of the Korean community.

The San Francisco Bay Area, home to the Consulate General, accomodates the headquarters of global IT giants such as Apple, Google, and Meta. As of 2023, the region's GDP was approximately $682.5 billion (out of a total of $3.9 trillion for California), and it accounted for around $30 billion, or 34% of all venture capital investments in the United States. In terms of investment, the Bay Area continues to outpace other regions across the country.

In addition, at the forefront of the recent artificial intelligence (AI) revolution, half of the world's top 50 generative AI companies are based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Furthermore, 59% of AI job openings in the United States are originated in this region. As such, the Bay Area continues to draw global attention as a hub and growth engine for innovative startups of the world.

The number of Korean startups capitalizing on the global AI boom and expanding into Silicon Valley is on the rise. Approximately 37% of our startups expanding internationally are targeting North America, with nearly half of them heading to Silicon Valley. As the economic representative in charge of Silicon Valley—home to technological innovations shaping the future of humanity, such as artificial intelligence, digital and quantum science, and the biotechnology industry—the Consulate General plays a key role in facilitating the entry of Korean companies and products into the U.S. market. We are also committed to fostering collaboration and exchange in high-tech fields between Korea and the United States. Through these efforts, we aim to lead the advancement of the Korea-U.S. science and technology alliance.

Last but not least, the Consulate General strives to strengthen a mutually beneficial cooperative relationship between Korea and the regions we cover by leveraging all the capabilities of the Korean community and our businesses.

Thank you.