During his visit to the U.S. for the Korea-U.S. summit, President Lee Jae-myung attended the 'Korea-U.S. Business Roundtable' on the 25th (local time) and stated, "As the U.S. contributed to Korea's rapid growth in the past, Korea, with its top-notch manufacturing technology, is the optimal partner to achieve the American manufacturing renaissance." This event was arranged for discussions on manufacturing cooperation between leading corporations from both countries, coinciding with President Lee's first visit to the U.S. since taking office. Korean corporations announced plans for investments in the U.S. amounting to $150 billion (208 trillion won) in sectors including semiconductors, shipbuilding, and AI (artificial intelligence).
In Washington D.C., at an event held at a hotel on that afternoon under the theme of 'Manufacturing Renaissance Partnership,' President Lee called for the enhancement of cooperation between the two countries in strategic industries such as shipbuilding and nuclear power, as well as advanced industries like semiconductors, AI, and biotech to boost global competitiveness. He also proposed strengthening supply chain collaboration through strategic investment and procurement between the two nations.
Regarding shipbuilding cooperation, deemed a key card by our government in the U.S. trade negotiations, President Lee highlighted, "Korea and the U.S. share a victory history from 75 years ago when the decisive actions of the U.S. Navy changed the tide of the Korean War." He committed to actively promoting the Korea-U.S. shipbuilding cooperation project, known as 'MASGA' (Make America's Shipbuilding Great Again).
President Lee referred to an icebreaking LNG carrier that only Korea can produce globally and urged Korean and U.S. corporations to break existing barriers and create new markets and cooperation opportunities, similar to how icebreakers forge new paths through ice.
Collaboration in the next-generation nuclear power sector was also emphasized. President Lee asserted that collaboration in this field cannot be overlooked, aiming to meet power demands in the AI era and expand energy security through the development and commercialization of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs).
In the semiconductor sector, President Lee described the Korea-U.S. semiconductor supply chain as a symbiotic structure based on mutual strengths. He noted that Korean-made HBM, essential for high-performance AI chip production, will play a crucial role in securing U.S. AI competitiveness. He further stated that corporations such as SK and Samsung would establish manufacturing facilities, including packaging and foundry fabs, in the U.S., positioning the country as a key base for the semiconductor supply chain.
President Lee also noted that Korea is a trusted partner for the U.S. in the bio-medicine sector. He recalled the experience when the Korean government provided testing kits and medical equipment at the request of President Trump during the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, he mentioned how Korean corporations are contributing to the Trump administration's drug price reduction policy by supplying high-quality biosimilars at lower costs.
Attendees included Ryu Jin, chairman of The Federation of Korean Industries, Samsung Electronics chairman Lee Jae-yong, SK chairman Chey Tae-won, Hyundai Motor Group chairman Chung Eui-sun, LG chairman Koo Kwang-mo, and others, totaling 16 Korean business leaders. From the U.S. side, 21 American corporate executives participated, including Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, Carlyle Group co-chairman David Rubenstein, and representatives from Boeing, Danaher, and Applied Materials.
They discussed technological cooperation between the two countries in fields such as advanced industries like semiconductors, AI, and bio; strategic industries like shipbuilding, nuclear, and defense; and sectors like mobility and batteries. The presidential office reported a consensus that combining U.S. innovative technology with Korean manufacturing competitiveness could drive the global market.
Ryu Jin, the chairman of The Federation of Korean Industries, expressed confidence that the significant achievements from the Korea-U.S. summit would further strengthen traditional friendly cooperation and provide a solid foundation for future joint prosperity, fostering a new chapter in the Korea-U.S. manufacturing renaissance.