U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance stated on October 5 that there are still details to coordinate with South Korea regarding the Alaska liquefied natural gas (LNG) development project.
According to Reuters, Vance made the remarks while speaking to reporters at Andrews Joint Base in Maryland before boarding a plane to Alaska. He said, "Of course, there are still some details to coordinate, and I understand that South Korea has also expressed its position on this matter. I believe this project will move forward."
He added, "There is demand for this type of energy, and the demand for U.S. natural gas is very strong. I think we will ultimately be able to make this project a reality."
The Alaska LNG project involves constructing an approximately 800-mile (1,300 km) pipeline to transport natural gas produced in the northern North Slope to the southern port of Nikiski.
Vance's comments contrast with those made earlier by President Donald Trump. On September 30, during an announcement regarding South Korea's investments in the U.S., Trump stated that South Korea had agreed to invest over $50 billion in the Alaska LNG project and warned that if this commitment was not fulfilled, "additional costs will be charged."
In response, the South Korean government clarified that the project would proceed only if certain commercial and legal conditions were met, denying that any investment agreement had been reached. However, Trump reiterated on October 2, "Are they (South Korea) saying they haven't agreed? Tell them that if they don't agree soon, the costs will double," pressuring for a resolution.
On the same day, Vance departed for Alaska to support Republican Senator Dan Sullivan, who is running for re-election in the midterm elections. Alaska has traditionally been a Republican stronghold, but Democratic candidate Mary Peltola is closely challenging Sullivan, leading to a competitive race between the two parties.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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