On Friday, a senior official from the U.S. State Department stated that the Alaska liquefied natural gas (LNG) investment issue, which the U.S. unilaterally announced as an agreed matter, is unlikely to become a significant point of contention between South Korea and the U.S.
During a press briefing, the official addressed concerns that the apparent differences over the Alaska LNG investment could impede security discussions regarding South Korea’s nuclear-powered submarine program and amendments to the nuclear agreement. He clarified that this issue is less about disagreement and more about the side needing more time to evaluate the project’s commercial viability and rationality.
The official noted that Minister of Trade, Industry, and Energy Kim Jeong-kwan clearly conveyed to U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo that South Korea would follow all related procedures. He added that in that sense, it can say there are no disagreements between South Korea and the U.S. Regarding the potential for this issue to emerge as a future point of contention, he stated that he believes the likelihood is extremely low.
Previously, on Wednesday, U.S. President Donald Trump announced the first major South Korean investment project in the U.S., which included the 50 billion USD Alaska LNG investment that has not yet been fully agreed upon, along with the construction of eight large nuclear power plants in the U.S., sparking controversy.
In response, Minister Kim reaffirmed the government’s position during a briefing at the Government Complex in Sejong the day before, stating that the Alaska project will only proceed on the premise of commercial viability, which is what both governments have agreed upon, and emphasized that it will not move forward without commercial rationality.
Based on the statements from the senior official and Minister Kim, it appears that the South Korean government is currently negotiating terms that meet its commercial rationality criteria regarding the Alaska LNG investment issue with the U.S.
Meanwhile, the senior official mentioned that the atmosphere surrounding the U.S.-South Korea security discussions improved following the summit between President Lee Jae Myung and President Trump on September 22. He stated that it aims to activate these discussions soon and negotiate as quickly as possible in a manner that aligns with the objectives.
He noted that while there have been working-level contacts between the two countries, progress has not met expectations. He explained that they will resume discussions based on previous talks to expedite progress.
The areas of negotiation include peaceful use of nuclear energy, U.S. cooperation for the construction of nuclear-powered submarines, and shipbuilding collaboration. He mentioned that expanding uranium enrichment and reprocessing rights through amendments to the U.S.-South Korea nuclear agreement is a key agenda item.
In a related event, Foreign Minister Cho Hyun held a press conference at the Government Complex in Seoul, stating that the U.S.-South Korea strategic investment is an important historical milestone in strengthening the alliance into a future-oriented comprehensive strategic partnership.
He emphasized that through the successful implementation of strategic investment projects, both countries can further prosper and strengthen the alliance’s capabilities in future key industries. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will actively support this endeavor.
He also stated that based on the joint statement from the U.S.-South Korea summit announced last November, efforts will be intensified to achieve tangible outcomes in areas such as conventionally armed nuclear-powered submarines, civilian uranium enrichment and reprocessing for peaceful use, shipbuilding cooperation, and the transfer of wartime operational control.