The meeting came as the alliance faces renewed strain from a U.S. tariff offensive and deepening energy insecurity caused by the Iran war and disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz.
According to the prime minister’s office, Kim told Vance that South Korea’s National Assembly had passed special legislation designed to provide the legal framework for Seoul’s investment commitments in the United States, calling it proof of Korea’s determination to follow through on bilateral agreements. Reuters and AP reported that the new law is tied to Seoul’s pledged $350 billion investment package in strategic U.S. industries and shipbuilding, part of a broader deal reached with Washington last year.
Kim said he hoped the legislation would help Korean companies contribute to the revival of U.S. manufacturing and job creation while opening the way for broader advances in bilateral ties. He also said the law would add momentum to implementing the joint fact sheet released after the recent summit between the two countries’ leaders.
In the security sector, Kim called for swift execution of pending agreements involving nuclear-powered submarines, nuclear energy and shipbuilding cooperation. Korean media reports said the package also touches on Seoul’s long-running push to expand its nuclear and maritime strategic options as the allies deepen industrial-security coordination.
Kim also highlighted cooperation in critical minerals and briefed Vance on Seoul’s recent decision regarding a U.S. request linked to the export of mapping data by American companies. Vance expressed appreciation and said the allies should continue discussions on other non-tariff barriers as well, the office said. Kim additionally noted that issues Vance had raised in January — including matters involving Coupang and religious concerns — were now being managed in a stable way. Vance, in turn, thanked the Korean government for its efforts to remain in close communication while respecting South Korea’s legal framework.
The meeting was the first between Kim and Vance in about six weeks since their previous talks on Jan. 23, and the prime minister’s office said it helped deepen personal trust and improve communication on pending alliance issues.
The talks came at a delicate moment for Seoul. Just two days earlier, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative launched a new Section 301 investigation into “structural excess capacity and production in manufacturing sectors,” targeting South Korea and 15 other economies as the Trump administration seeks to rebuild its tariff arsenal after a court setback.
At the same time, the war involving Iran has amplified South Korea’s vulnerability to external energy shocks. The conflict has sharply disrupted flows through the Strait of Hormuz, helping send oil prices surging and adding pressure on Asian import-dependent economies such as South Korea, which relies heavily on Middle Eastern crude and petrochemical feedstocks.
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