South Korea, U.S. Strengthen Ties After White House Talks on Investment Law
South Korea’s Prime Minister Kim Min-seok met with U.S. Vice President JD Vance at the White House in Washington, D.C., on the 12th local time. It was their second in-person meeting in roughly six weeks since Kim’s visit to the United States on January 23.
According to a press release from the Prime Minister’s Office, Kim told Vance that the National Assembly had approved the Special Act on U.S. Investment earlier that day and described the vote as signaling Korea’s strong commitment to implementing bilateral investment agreements. He said the law could help future investments into the United States support manufacturing growth and job creation, and deepen the broader Korea-U.S. relationship.
Kim also said the legislation would provide momentum for implementing the joint statement prepared after the Korea-U.S. summit, including security-related accords on nuclear-powered submarines, nuclear energy, and shipbuilding, and urged prompt execution of those terms.
Vance welcomed the passage of the Special Act and encouraged continued close communication on investment issues between the two governments.
Kim reportedly updated Vance on cooperation in critical minerals and on the government’s forward-leaning decision related to requests by U.S. firms to export maps, noting these matters are now being managed stably.
Vance, for his part, praised those points and urged continued dialogue on non-tariff barriers, which he has flagged as a priority in talks with Seoul.
The two also discussed domestic topics raised by Vance in January, including Coupang and religious issues, with Kim saying these matters are now under stable management and that Korea will continue to respect U.S. concerns and keep channels open.
On security diplomacy, Kim and Vance exchanged views on the Korean Peninsula and reaffirmed that the door to talks with North Korea remains open and that bilateral communication should stay close. The Prime Minister’s Office described their relationship as strengthened by a growing personal rapport and trust, which is expected to help advance the bilateral agenda.