Andeokgeun Meets US Government and Congressional Officials, "Confirming the Strength of Korea-US Relations"

Visit to Georgia and Washington D.C. in the U.S. from 6th to 10th
Meetings with U.S. Energy Secretary and USTR Representative

Minister Anduk Geun of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy visited the state of Georgia and Washington D.C. in the United States from the 6th to the 9th (local time in the U.S.), where he held meetings with the U.S. Secretary of Energy, USTR representative, the Governor and state legislators of Georgia, members of the U.S. Congress, major think tanks, and stakeholders, as well as conducted activities such as a meeting with companies operating in Georgia.

Minister Ahn, taking the opportunity of meeting members of the U.S. Senate Finance Committee and the House Ways and Means Committee, which oversee trade and tax affairs, noted that supply chain linkage between Korea and the U.S. has been enhanced based on Korean companies' investment in the U.S., and requested continued creation of a favorable environment for Korean companies.

Anduk Geun, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy (first from the left), attended the "Meeting with the U.S. Secretary of Energy" held on the 8th (local time) at the U.S. Department of Energy conference room in Washington D.C. The meeting was attended by Jennifer Granholm, U.S. Secretary of Energy, and officials from both the Korean and U.S. governments, where they discussed ways to enhance energy cooperation between the two countries.

In a meeting with Representative Todd Young, who co-sponsored the SHIPS for America Act, a bill to strengthen the U.S. shipbuilding industry, they agreed to maintain continuous communication and cooperation in the legislative and policy-making processes related to the rebuilding of the U.S. shipbuilding industry. Additionally, during meetings with legislators from regions such as Georgia, Tennessee, and Alabama, where Korean companies' investments in the U.S. are concentrated, Minister Ahn requested active support and attention to ensure the stable and smooth implementation of Korean companies' investment projects in the U.S.

Minister Ahn also held separate meetings with Jennifer Granholm, U.S. Secretary of Energy, and Katherine Tai, USTR representative. At these meetings, Minister Ahn evaluated the achievements derived under the mutually beneficial cooperative relationship between the two governments and emphasized the necessity of continued cooperation between Korea and the U.S. in the fields of industry, energy, and trade under the new U.S. administration.

Minister Ahn stated, "This visit served as an opportunity to actively inform the U.S. federal and state governments and Congress about the activities of our companies investing in the U.S. and to confirm that the Korea-U.S. relationship remains strong regardless of the changing political environment in both countries. We will closely monitor policies announced by the new U.S. administration and strengthen Korea-U.S. cooperation to ensure that our companies' investments and business activities in the U.S. can be carried out stably despite the changing external environment."