The U.S.-South Korea Shipbuilding Cooperation Center has officially opened, aimed at executing the MASGA project. The U.S. government announced it will evaluate cooperation outcomes based on actual investment amounts and the number of ships built in the U.S., rather than just the number of meetings or memorandums of understanding (MOUs) signed.
According to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and local reports, the opening ceremony took place on July 23 in Washington, D.C., attended by government officials, lawmakers, and industry representatives from both countries.
The center will identify shipbuilding cooperation projects and support South Korean investments in the U.S. It will also promote technology exchange, workforce training, modernization of U.S. shipyards, and joint research and development (R&D).
The establishment of the center follows an agreement in which South Korea committed to invest $150 billion of its $350 billion total investment in the U.S. into shipbuilding cooperation. MASGA stands for 'Make American Shipbuilding Great Again,' a project aimed at revitalizing the U.S. shipbuilding industry using South Korean capital and technology.
During the opening ceremony, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Rutnik stated, "The center itself is not the end goal; the most important thing is how many ships we actually build." He emphasized that the center would not be assessed based on the number of meetings held or MOUs signed.
Rutnik added, "We will evaluate based on the capital invested, facilities modernized, workers trained, supply chains established, and ultimately, the number of ships produced together by the U.S. and South Korea. This is the standard set by President Donald Trump."
He stressed that mere discussions are not sufficient, stating, "We need to actually build all types of warships and commercial vessels here in the U.S." This underscores the expectation that South Korean investments in U.S. shipbuilding should lead to the expansion of shipyards and actual ship production.
The U.S. government also pledged to eliminate regulations that hinder South Korean investments.
Rutnik encouraged businesses to contact the Department of Commerce if they encounter obstacles during their expansion, promising to remove regulatory barriers to facilitate South Korean companies operating in the U.S.
Kim Jeong-kwan, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy, emphasized that the center's launch demonstrates South Korea's commitment to supporting the U.S. shipbuilding industry.
Kim stated, "South Korea is ready to be the strongest partner in making American shipbuilding great again, and we will build warships and LNG carriers right here in the U.S."
He further noted, "We prioritize action, speed, and results," outlining a commitment to connect U.S.-South Korea shipbuilding cooperation with actual investments and production.
This year, the center will focus on training specialized personnel in shipbuilding, consulting for U.S. shipyards, and joint R&D initiatives. It plans to connect government and shipbuilding equipment companies from both countries to identify potential investment projects.
Lee Jong-geon, the center's director, stated, "The center will serve as a key platform for discovering investment opportunities in the shipbuilding sector and supporting their commercialization."
During the opening ceremony, 15 MOUs were also signed between U.S. and South Korean shipbuilding companies and related organizations.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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