Ryu Jin, Chairman of the Korea Economic Association: "Korean Companies Plan $150 Billion in Large-Scale US Investments"

Over 40 Korean and U.S. Business Leaders Gather in Washington, D.C.
Korean Companies Announce $150 Billion Investment Plans in the U.S.
Top Executives from Samsung, Hyundai Motor, LG, Hanwha and More in Attendance
Major U.S. Companies Including Nvidia, Google, and Boeing Join the Event

Ryu Jin, Chairman of the Korea Economic Association, announced on the 25th (local time) that "Korean companies are planning large-scale investments in the United States totaling 150 billion dollars."

At the 'Korea-U.S. Business Roundtable' held at the Willard Hotel in Washington D.C. that day, Chairman Ryu delivered opening remarks on behalf of the Korean business community, stating, "This investment aims to drive both the U.S. and global markets together and usher in a new era of manufacturing renaissance." He emphasized, "These investment plans and the strengthened cooperation to be discussed today will serve as a roadmap for realizing the ambitious vision of Korea-U.S. industrial cooperation, and I believe both governments will actively support these efforts."

The event was organized to discuss investment and cooperation among Korean and U.S. business leaders. Attendees included President Lee Jaemyung, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Kim Jungkwan, as well as major Korean business leaders such as Lee Jaeyong, Chairman of Samsung Electronics; Chey Taewon, Chairman of SK; Chung Euisun, Chairman of Hyundai Motor; Koo Kwangmo, Chairman of LG; Kim Dongkwan, Vice Chairman of Hanwha; Chung Kisun, Vice Chairman of HD Hyundai; Huh Taesoo, Chairman of GS; Cho Won-tae, Chairman of Korean Air; Lee Jaehyun, Chairman of CJ; Koo Ja-eun, Chairman of LS; Park Ji-won, Chairman of Doosan Enerbility; Seo Jungjin, Chairman of Celltrion; Choi Yunbeom, Chairman of Korea Zinc; Kim Sanghyun, Vice Chairman of Lotte; and Choi Suyeon, CEO of Naver.

Ryu Jin, Chairman of the Korea Economic Association, Rubenstein, Chairman of the Carlyle Group, and the economic delegation are taking a commemorative photo on the 25th (local time in the U.S.) at the Willard Hotel in Washington D.C. before the 'Korea-U.S. Business Roundtable: Manufacturing Renaissance Partnership.' From the left: Koo Ja-eun, Chairman of LS; Kim Sanghyun, Vice Chairman of Lotte; Lee Jaehyun, Chairman of CJ; Huh Taesoo, Chairman of GS; Rubenstein, Chairman of the Carlyle Group; Choi Suyeon, CEO of Naver; Ryu Jin, Chairman of the Korea Economic Association; Lee Jae-yong, Chairman of Samsung Electronics; Chung Euisun, Chairman of Hyundai Motor; Choi Yunbeom, Chairman of Korea Zinc. Korea Economic Association.

From the United States, 21 top executives from global companies attended, including Jensen Huang, CEO of Nvidia; Sameer Samat, President of Google; Gary Cohn, Vice Chairman of IBM; Stephanie Pope, CEO of Boeing; Michael Williamson, President of Lockheed Martin; Russell Stokes, CEO of GE Aerospace; David Rubenstein, Co-Chairman of the Carlyle Group; Rainer Blair, CEO of Danaher; Gary Dickerson, CEO of Applied Materials; and James Kwon, CSO of OpenAI. Executives from GM, Honeywell, AES, X-energy, GE Vernova, General Atomics, Anduril Industries, Cerberus Capital, Axcelis, and Penguin Solutions also participated. In the cultural content sector, Charles Rivkin, Chairman and CEO of the Motion Picture Association (MPA), was present as well.

During the meeting, participants exchanged views on three major agenda items: advanced industries (semiconductors, AI, and biotechnology), strategic industries (shipbuilding, nuclear power, and defense), and supply chains (batteries, core materials, and mobility). They also discussed specific cooperation measures such as AI-driven manufacturing innovation, energy transition, defense and space collaboration, and joint R&D in biotechnology. In particular, regarding shipbuilding, participants agreed that optimal cooperation is possible by combining the U.S. shipbuilding revitalization policy with Korea's global competitiveness, reaffirming their commitment to collaboration.

Chairman Ryu stated, "We hope to open a new chapter of the Korea-U.S. manufacturing renaissance on the occasion of the Korea-U.S. summit," adding, "Our shared goal is to go beyond simply expanding production facilities and pursue mutually beneficial cooperation by sharing technology and supply chains across the entire spectrum of industries, from advanced sectors like AI and semiconductors to strategic fields such as shipbuilding and nuclear power."

He went on to mention the theme song "Golden" from the Netflix animated film "K-Pop Demon Hunters," noting, "This song, sung by three Korean-American women, reached number one on the Billboard chart and features the lyrics 'up up up.' I hope today's gathering will serve as the starting point for a Korea-U.S. manufacturing renaissance, leading us into a golden era of growth and glory together."