South Korea, U.S. discuss investment act, security pacts at White House
In Washington, D.C., on the afternoon of the 12th local time, Prime Minister Kim Min-seok met with U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance at the White House. The discussion focused on Korea’s Special Act on Investment in the United States and follow-up work on security-related accords reached under the broader bilateral framework, including nuclear-powered submarines, civil nuclear cooperation, and shipbuilding.
Kim told Vance that the Special Act had just passed Korea’s National Assembly and described it as a sign of momentum for implementing the agreed investment package. He said the legislation could help spur U.S. manufacturing revival and job creation, while strengthening the overall Korea-U.S. relationship. He also noted that the act would accelerate the implementation of the two sides’ joint fact sheet.
The prime minister emphasized that the investment-law passage provides a legal basis to advance the bilateral investment agenda and urged rapid progress on the security-related commitments, such as nuclear submarines, nuclear energy cooperation, and shipbuilding.
Vance, for his part, welcomed the passage of the Special Act and said it establishes the legal conditions needed to implement the investment agreements, adding that the two countries should maintain close communication on these matters.
The two leaders discussed cooperation in critical minerals and Korea’s decision regarding a request by U.S. companies to export maps. Kim outlined Korea’s position and progress in this area, and Vance said he appreciated the Korean stance and that non-tariff barriers should continue to be discussed.
Kim also briefed Vance on other topics the vice president had shown interest in earlier this year, including the status of Coupang and religious issues, which he described as now being managed stably. Vance reportedly expressed appreciation for Korea’s respect for its domestic laws and its willingness to engage with U.S. concerns, and he pledged continued dialogue on these matters.
Beyond bilateral ties, the prime minister and vice president exchanged views on the Korean Peninsula. They reaffirmed that the door to dialogue with North Korea remains open and agreed to maintain close communication between Seoul and Washington on related issues.
The briefing noted that this meeting built on their first encounter in January and reflected growing personal trust between Kim and Vance. It also framed the discussions as part of ongoing efforts to align Korea’s economic and security agendas with U.S. interests, in a context of broader supply-chain resilience, defense cooperation, and regional stability.
Why this matters for the United States: Korea’s push to attract U.S. investment and solidify security cooperation touches on supply-chain resilience for key industries, including energy, defense, and advanced manufacturing. The talks around non-tariff barriers, critical minerals, and export controls have potential implications for American businesses operating in Korea and for broader U.S. market access. The open dialogue on North Korea remains a strategic element for regional security and diplomatic policy.