Utah Cottonwood Heights-ro: Street in Incheon, South Korea named after international sister city
Oct 24, 2025, 10:47 PM | Updated: Oct 25, 2025, 9:07 pm
Street sign for Utah Cottonwood Heights-ro. (Cottonwood Heights)
(Cottonwood Heights)
SALT LAKE CITY — Cottonwood Heights recently received the honor of having a street named after the city in Incheon, South Korea. It’s called “Utah Cottonwood Heights-ro,” the “ro” meaning street in Korean.
According to a press release from the city, the street naming was part of a celebration of the 30th anniversary of Yeonsu District in Incheon, which Cottonwood Heights is an international sister city to. The street extends 1.3 kilometers, from Yeonsu District’s Second District Office to the University of Utah Asia Campus.
View of Utah Cottonwood Heights-ro. (Cottonwood Heights)
The formal partnership between Cottonwood Heights, Yeonsu District and the University of Utah Asia Campus became official in July 2025 through a signed international friendship agreement.
As part of the partnership, Mayor Mike Weichers and Councilman Matt Holton spoke at the Incheon Global Campus, where they introduced the city to students, faculty and staff.
“Talking with them reminded me how powerful connection can be, and how much good comes from simply reaching out and learning from one another. Being in Incheon’s Yeonsu District for the unveiling of Utah Cottonwood Heights-ro was just as meaningful. In a world that can feel divided, moments like that show what friendship and partnership can do,” Holton said.
“This partnership reflects our shared values of friendship, cooperation, and community, and we look forward to continued collaboration in the years ahead,” Weichers said.
Mayor Jaeho Lee, Mayor Mike Weichers and Councilman Matt Holton with street sign. (Cottonwood Heights)
According to the press release, the street name falls under the South Korean Road Name Address Act, which says “an honorary road name is an additional designation given to an existing road to commemorate historical or cultural ties or to promote international exchange and investment. While not used for official addresses, these names carry deep symbolic meaning.”
Councilmember Min-hyeop Park of the Yeonsu District Council further explained what inspired the honorary naming.
“The naming of a street in our district is beyond our gratitude, but a symbol of the beauty, friendship, education and economic excellence of your city. 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,” Park said.
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