President Lee Jae-myung visited the 'Hanwha Philadelphia Shipyard' in Philadelphia as the final schedule of his first official visit to the United States on the 26th (local time). This location symbolizes the MASGA (Make American Shipbuilding Great Again) project led by the U.S. shipbuilding industry revival initiative, carrying the message of transforming the 72-year Korea-U.S. alliance into a 'comprehensive strategic alliance' in security, economy, and technology.
On this day, President Lee attended the naming ceremony of the MARAD (U.S. Maritime Administration) multipurpose vessel 'State of Maine,' which was built with Korean technology, and said, 'Just as Korean corporations and workers created the miracle of K-shipbuilding on a vast barren land 50 years ago, now let Korea and the United States join forces to realize the miracle of MASGA.' The naming ceremony is an event where a ship's name is given after its construction, wishing for safe navigation.
Attending the naming ceremony were Minister of Industry Kim Jeong-kwan, Minister of Foreign Affairs Park Jin, Security Chief Wi Seong-rak from the Presidential Office, Policy Chief Kim Yong-beom, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, and Senator Todd Young.
The Philadelphia shipyard was acquired by Hanwha Ocean and Hanwha System with equity stakes of 40% and 60%, respectively, having invested $100 million (approximately 139.5 billion won) at the end of last year. It currently employs around 1,700 staff. This investment is expected to establish a base for entering the North American commercial and naval shipbuilding markets. The National Security Multi-Mission Vessel (NSMV) ordered by the MARAD is set at $300 million per unit, with a total of five vessels to be built. The State of Maine is the third vessel among them.
President Lee noted, 'Over 50 warships that led the victory in World War II were born from the Philadelphia shipyard, and over 500 vessels came from here to set sail again,' adding, 'The great people of our country saved by the vessels of Philadelphia overcame the ruins of war and designed the future of the nation from the hot furnace and the still-wet drops of sweat.'
President Lee said, 'The strong will of our people to build a new country of hope has permeated into steel and carried on waves, creating the myth of 'a shipbuilding powerhouse Korea.' Now, the shipbuilding industry of Korea will embark on a new challenge to strengthen the maritime security of the United States and contribute to the revival of the U.S. shipbuilding industry. I am very pleased as the president of an ally.'
Mentioning 'MASGA,' a key card in the trade negotiations, President Lee stated, 'Just as the shipbuilding industry has been a name of growth, opportunity, dreams, and hope for many young Koreans in history, the Philadelphia shipyard will also be remembered by American youth with the same name.' He continued, 'Korean shipyards will invest in American shipyards and train excellent personnel to help modernized process technologies take root in the U.S.'
◇Trump wishes to rebuild U.S. shipbuilding in collaboration with Korea
The shipbuilding industry was repeatedly mentioned as a key area of cooperation between the two countries during the Korea-U.S. summit. President Donald Trump stated during a small group meeting with President Lee the day before in the Oval Office, 'The U.S. shipbuilding industry is now in a considerably devastated situation,' adding that he hopes vessels will be built in the U.S. again through cooperation with Korea. 'I want to work together with Korea to rebuild U.S. shipbuilding,' he said.
On the same day, President Lee also attended the 'Korea-U.S. Business Roundtable' held at a hotel in Washington, D.C., stating, 'To achieve a manufacturing renaissance that both countries can benefit from, let's enhance cooperation in strategic industries like shipbuilding and nuclear power, as well as in advanced industries such as semiconductors, AI, and biotechnology to improve global competitiveness,' and added, 'I will actively promote the Korea-U.S. shipbuilding cooperation project.'
In particular, President Lee pointed to the icebreaking LNG carriers, which only Korea can produce, saying, 'Just as icebreakers carve new routes, I hope that businesspeople from both countries will break existing limits and create new markets and collaboration opportunities.'