South Korea sends delegation to Washington over $350B US investment pledge

By Anadolu staff

ISTANBUL (AA) - South Korea has dispatched a working-level delegation to Washington to discuss potential investment projects in the US, officials said Thursday, amid mounting pressure from the White House to accelerate implementation of a bilateral trade deal.

The delegation, led by Deputy Trade Minister Park Jung-sung, departed Wednesday for talks with US Department of Commerce officials, Yonhap News reported, citing trade ministry officials.

Talks will focus on identifying commercially viable projects under Seoul’s $350 billion investment commitment agreed to in a trade deal finalized late last year.

Details of the proposed projects have not been disclosed.

The development follows US President Donald Trump’s announcement of Japan’s first round of investments under its own $550 billion bilateral pledge, including energy and manufacturing projects.

Trump has recently urged Seoul to expedite its legislative process to implement the agreement, warning that delays could trigger the reinstatement of 25% reciprocal tariffs and auto duties on South Korean exports.

In response, Seoul last week formed a committee to review candidate projects as part of efforts to advance the deal.