SEOUL, February 21 (AJP) - A high-profile delegation of South Korean business leaders, led by Chey Tae-won, chairman of SK Group, met with senior White House officials and key congressional leaders this week.
The 26-member delegation, organized by the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, convened in Washington on Feb. 19 and 20 to discuss investment and cooperation across a range of strategic industries. Among the executives in attendance were Kim Won-kyung, president of Samsung Electronics, Yoo Jung-joon, vice chairman of SK On, and Sung Kim, president of Hyundai Motor.
In a meeting with White House officials on Feb. 19, Chey highlighted the significant contributions of South Korean companies to the U.S. economy.
“Over the past eight years, Korean companies have invested more than $160 billion in the United States, primarily in manufacturing, creating over 800,000 jobs — many of them high-quality positions with annual salaries exceeding $100,000,” he said.
The delegation proposed enhanced collaboration in six key sectors: shipbuilding, energy, nuclear power, artificial intelligence semiconductors, mobility, and materials.
The discussions reflected a broader shift in the Korea-U.S. relationship, which Chey characterized as having evolved from a security alliance into an economic alliance.
“Our partnership must now advance into one that leads in advanced technology and future values,” he said at the Korea-U.S. Business Night event, held at the Library of Congress.
The gathering drew more than 250 attendees, including U.S. senators, representatives, governors, and former cabinet officials — more than double the anticipated turnout.
Among those in attendance was Matt Murray, the U.S. ambassador to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, who emphasized the broader significance of the bilateral relationship. “The Korea-U.S. alliance is not just about trade and investment figures; it is a partnership rooted in shared values,” Murray said.
Beyond meetings with lawmakers, the delegation also held discussions with Treasury Department officials, focusing on macroeconomic stability and the investment environment for strategic industries where the two nations could leverage synergies.
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