COTTONWOOD HEIGHTS, Utah (KUTV) — A street in Incheon, South Korea was named after Cottonwood Heights in celebration of the growing friendship between the two communities.

The 1.3-kilometer, or .8-mile, stretch of road extends from the the Second District Office in the Yeonsu District of Incheon to the University of Utah Asia campus. Officially, the road has been recognized as “Utah Cottonwood Heights-ro,” with “ro” meaning street in Korean.

“We are deeply honored by this gesture and grateful for the warm welcome we received in Yeonsu District,” said Cottonwood Heights Mayor Mike Weichers. “This partnership reflects our shared values of friendship, cooperation and community, and we look forward to continued collaboration in the years ahead.”

The name is a honorary recognition given in addition to the actual street name, Songdo Munwha-ro. Cottonwood Heights officials said the additional designation commemorates historical or cultural ties or promotes international exchange and investment. In the case of Utah Cottonwood Heights-ro, the name honors the relationship between the two sister cities.

Cottonwood Heights and the Yeonsu District formalized their partnership in July 2025. The two communities agreed to collaborate as sister cities in administration, culture, education and economic development.

Jefferson Moss, the Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity executive director, said, “This sister-city relationship builds upon Utah’s long-standing ties to Korea, which include the legacy of the Korean War, the services of thousands of LDS missionaries, and the strategic presence of the University of Utah Asia Campus in Incheon. Through this focused collaboration, which includes tangible projects like the naming of ‘Utah Cottonwood Heights-ro’ in Korea, the city is demonstrating how local diplomacy can strengthen international friendship and create impactful, real world connections.”

Yeonsu Distict Councilmember Min-hyeop Park said the honorary name goes beyond gratitude for the partnership.

“We have so much to learn from you and I hope that our community can also be a resource to you for generations to come,” said Park.

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