Returning to Korea after coordinating investments in the United States... “Nothing exceeds $200 billion, $20 billion per year.”

Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Kim Jeong-gwan, who visited the United States for last-minute coordination of investment projects in the United States, announced on the 13th that there are still areas that require negotiation.

Minister Kim met with reporters as he returned to Korea via Incheon International Airport this afternoon and said, "There are still some issues remaining," and added, "We plan to go through internal procedures and discuss them again through video conference early this week."

He explained, “It is true that we are close to agreement on many issues, but issues remain until the final signature is signed,” and “It is not over until the final signature is signed.”

Initially, Minister Kim was expected to report the first project and details of investment in the United States to the National Assembly around the 17th and take the final step of signing the business agreement (MOU) as early as the 18th.

Regarding this, Minister Kim said, “I am thinking of making an attempt within this week,” and added, “I am thinking of making an announcement once (the negotiations) reach a final conclusion.”

Regarding specific project plans, Minister Kim declined to comment, saying, “It is difficult to comment because the final decision has not yet been made.”

However, he emphasized that the scale of strategic investment requested by the United States will not exceed the $200 billion promised by Korea.

Last year, the government promised to invest a total of $350 billion in the U.S., including $150 billion in shipbuilding and $200 billion in strategic investment, under the condition of lowering tariffs from 25% to 15%. The annual cap on Korea's investment agreed upon by both sides is $20 billion.

Minister Kim said, “The (strategic) investment limit of $200 billion and the annual limit of $20 billion will be maintained as set out in the original agreement with the United States,” and added, “I don’t think this will be exceeded. It is an agreement between both sides.”

Minister Kim visited the United States for three days starting on the 10th to finalize investment projects in the United States with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Rutnick and others.

Currently, strong project candidates include the construction of the Encinal gas-fired combined cycle power plant in Texas and the construction of a large nuclear power plant.