Korean Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Kim Jeong-kwan, who is visiting the U.S. to attend the opening ceremony of the Korea-U.S. Shipbuilding Cooperation Center, stated on July 22 that he plans to "clarify the details and schedule of U.S. investment projects." Regarding concerns raised by the U.S. about Coupang's data breach, he asserted, "I do not believe that the Korea-U.S. alliance will be shaken by such issues."
Before departing from Incheon International Airport, Kim spoke with reporters. He is scheduled to stay in the U.S. until July 25, where he will attend the opening ceremony of the Korea-U.S. Shipbuilding Cooperation Center and meet with key U.S. government officials.
On the Korea-U.S. Shipbuilding Cooperation Center, he noted, "We have been promoting the MASGA (Make American Shipbuilding Great Again) project, and it is significant that we now have a platform to officially discuss this." He added that both the Korean and U.S. governments view this development as very meaningful.
Regarding U.S. investment, Kim plans to discuss specific project details and timelines with U.S. officials. He emphasized that the clarification of U.S. projects is a clear agenda for this visit, countering claims that there are no distinct topics to address.
The recent large-scale data breach at Coupang and the Korean government's response are also expected to be discussed. Kim mentioned, "I anticipate that this will naturally come up in discussions, and while there are claims of discrimination against Korean companies, I believe that misunderstandings can be resolved with sufficient explanation."
He further stated, "Our government's position is backed by solid logic and evidence, and we have consistently explained areas where the U.S. may have misunderstandings. If there are misunderstandings, we can clarify them and bridge any gaps between us."
On the potential for additional semiconductor plants in the U.S., Kim clarified that corporate strategic decisions take precedence. He remarked, "This is not currently under discussion. Companies need to make strategic investment decisions, especially given the high demand for semiconductors and how to meet that demand."
He added that the joint fact sheet between Korea and the U.S. indicates that Korea is not at a disadvantage compared to its competitors in the semiconductor sector. He noted that there have been no further discussions between the governments since that agreement.
Regarding the U.S. Trade Act Section 301 investigation and the possibility of additional tariffs, Kim stated that he would discuss these matters with U.S. officials. He mentioned, "The U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) have expressed to us that any related measures will not exceed the level that has balanced the interests of both countries. Coincidentally, the timeline for the Section 301 investigation overlaps with my visit, so I will discuss these issues thoroughly with the U.S. side."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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