By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee 

Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Hyun, together with Joseph Yun, Chargé d’Affaires at the U.S. Embassy, Kim Seok-ki, Chair of the National Assembly’s Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee, Kim Gi-hyeon, Chair of the Special Committee for Supporting the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting, and National Assembly members Kim Geon, Kim Sang-wook, and Kim Tae-Seon, visited HD Hyundai’s Ulsan Shipyard to inspect shipbuilding operations and major facilities on August 13.

This visit was organized amid continued emphasis on strengthening bilateral cooperation in the shipbuilding sector during ROK–U.S. high-level exchanges and communication.

Following the conclusion of bilateral tariff consultations and HD Hyundai’s recent contract for the maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) of U.S. Navy logistics support ships, the visit provided an opportunity to hear directly from industry representatives on site and to explore avenues for expanding cooperation between the two countries in shipbuilding.

Minister Cho, Chargé d’Affaires Yun, and members of the committee reaffirmed, through the on-site inspection, that the ROK is the optimal partner for the United States in revitalizing its shipbuilding industry.

They agreed to strengthen cooperative frameworks and seek concrete measures to advance ROK–U.S. shipbuilding cooperation in earnest.

Minister Cho stated, “The Korea–U.S. alliance has evolved into a comprehensive strategic partnership encompassing not only security but also the economy and advanced technologies. As shipbuilding cooperation emerges as a key pillar of the alliance, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, along with relevant ministries and our industry, will engage actively with the U.S. side to ensure that Korea–U.S. shipbuilding cooperation yields mutually beneficial outcomes.”

Chairman Kim Seok-ki also remarked, “The National Assembly will actively support the smooth progress of bilateral shipbuilding cooperation.”

HD Hyundai stated that, in addition to the recent MRO contract, it is expanding technical and personnel exchanges with the U.S. side, and will continue to actively participate in Korea–U.S. shipbuilding cooperation. The company also called for sustained government attention and support for Korean shipbuilders.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to support not only the strengthening of Korea–U.S. shipbuilding cooperation but also efforts to expand the overseas orders and global market reach of Korea’s shipbuilding industry.