Acting Prime Minister Han Duck-soo met with Mike Dunleavy, the governor of Alaska, on the 25th and said that he hopes economic cooperation, including energy, between South Korea and Alaska will continue to expand in the future.
Acting Prime Minister Han noted during a meeting with Governor Dunleavy at the Seoul Government Complex in Jongno District that "South Korea is Alaska's top trade partner."
This meeting marks Acting Prime Minister Han's first engagement with a foreign guest after his return to work.
According to the Prime Minister's Office, Acting Prime Minister Han explained the robust development of the South Korea-U.S. global comprehensive strategic alliance over the past 70 years across all sectors.
An official from the Prime Minister's Office said, "Acting Prime Minister Han particularly appreciated President Trump's heightened interest in South Korea in areas such as shipbuilding and expressed hope that the South Korea-U.S. alliance will further expand and strengthen under the new U.S. administration," and noted the need for Governor Dunleavy to play an active role in the continuous development of South Korea-U.S. relations and the deepening of South Korea-Alaska cooperation.
Governor Dunleavy said, "Alaska holds a special regard for its relationship with South Korea, as we hold annual events honoring Korean War veterans," and stated, "I will work to strengthen South Korea-U.S. relations and the South Korea-Alaska relationship once I return to my country."
He added, "I hope this visit will lead to productive discussions on the continued development of energy cooperation, including liquefied natural gas (LNG) development between South Korea and Alaska."