0
President Lee Jae-myung applauds during the naming ceremony of the State of Maine at Hanwha’s Philadelphia Shipyard in Pennsylvania on August 26. / Source: Yonhap News

President Lee Jae-myung on August 26 visited Hanwha’s Philadelphia Shipyard in Pennsylvania, declaring that the facility would open a new chapter in the 72-year Korea-U.S. alliance, evolving into a “future-oriented comprehensive strategic partnership” encompassing security, economy, and technology.

The shipyard, acquired and operated by Hanwha Group, has become a symbol of the MASGA (Make America’s Shipbuilding Great Again) project — a central element in bilateral tariff negotiations.

◇ “From security to technology, a future-oriented alliance”

At the naming ceremony for the State of Maine, the first vessel completed at the shipyard under a U.S. Maritime Administration order, Lee said, “Korean shipbuilding will now contribute to strengthening U.S. maritime security and reviving America’s shipbuilding industry. Through the MASGA project, both nations will achieve a win-win leap forward.”

He added, “Just as Korean entrepreneurs and workers created the miracle of K-shipbuilding from barren fields half a century ago, Korea and the U.S. can now work together to bring about the miracle of MASGA.” Lee described the project as “a new sea of opportunity on which our two nations will sail together,” noting that MASGA represents $150 billion of a $350 billion investment package in the United States.

◇ “A shared vision beyond building ships”

Referring to his summit with U.S. President Donald Trump the previous day, Lee said, “The project I proposed is not only about building large warships and advanced vessels. It is a vision to restore a lost dream.” He added that just as shipbuilding once provided Korean youth with “growth, opportunity, and hope,” the Philadelphia Shipyard would be remembered the same way for American youth.

Lee pledged that Korean shipbuilders would invest in U.S. yards, help train skilled workers, and transfer modernized production technologies. “This new departure will be recorded as another history of hope and challenge, written by the firm friendship between Korea and the United States,” he said.

The ceremony was attended by the governor of Pennsylvania, the U.S. secretaries of transportation and labor, as well as Korean ministers of industry and foreign affairs and senior presidential aides.

◇ Visit to Seo Jae-pil memorial marks close of U.S. trip

Earlier in the day, Lee visited the memorial of independence activist Seo Jae-pil (Philip Jaisohn), marking the first such visit by a Korean president since Kim Dae-jung in 1999. “It is deeply meaningful to visit the memorial honoring Dr. Seo, who dedicated his life to Korea’s independence,” Lee said, expressing hope that the site would continue to educate future generations and serve the local community.

The memorial, created by renovating Seo’s residence, opened in 1990 and was designated a Pennsylvania historical site in 1994. Its grounds also feature the Korean Garden.

Lee concluded his six-day, three-night state visit and was scheduled to return to Seoul Air Base in Seongnam early on August 28.