IOWA CITY (KWWL) -
Jaeyeon Jeong has come a long way to study at the University of Iowa.
"I heard that the university of Iowa has one of the best facilities for the communication major," Jeong, from South Korea, said.
Jeong, like 9,000 other South Koreans currently in the state, was hindered by the process to receive a driver's license.
"For the people that have a license back in Korea, it would be a real difficulty," Jeong said.
"To go through the time investment to actually take the test through their whole process much less ours, you wouldn't do that," said Iowa DOT Director Paul Trombino III.
Now, that process is easier.
Korean-Americans 18 and over only have to show their South Korean driver's license to receive one from Iowa.
The agreement holds true as well for Iowans in South Korea and is expected to help play an important role in facilitating business.
"Having the ability to give them a little more freedom of movement, to create new business opportunities, much less educational outreach issues, that freedom of movement that the driver's license privilege offers is significant," Trombino III said.
Iowa is the latest of 12 states to enter such an agreement with South Korea.
"Starting last year, some states are beginning to understand the need for such a mechanism," said the Honorable Chul Huh, consul general of The Consulate General of the Republic of Korea.
Jeong says new license privilege will help him maximize his shot at an internship.
"I can actually explore more places."
An agreement helping to move forward an increasingly global market.
