Korean PM meets US vice president at White House

Mar 13, 2026, 09:49 am

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Prime Minister Kim Min-seok (left) shakes hands with U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance before their meeting at the White House in Washington, D.C., on March 12. /Prime Minister’s Office

South Korean Prime Minister Kim Min-seok met U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance at the White House in Washington, D.C., on March 12 to discuss bilateral investment, non-tariff trade barriers and issues related to the Korean Peninsula.

The meeting took place about 50 days after the two last met during Kim’s visit to the United States on Jan. 23.

Investment law highlights commitment

During the talks, Kim emphasized the passage of South Korea’s special law on strategic investment in the United States, which cleared the National Assembly the previous day.

“Our government’s efforts led to the passage of the special law supporting investment in the United States,” Kim said. “This demonstrates our strong commitment to implementing the investment agreement.”

He added that the legislation could help Korean investment contribute to the revival of U.S. manufacturing and the creation of jobs while also strengthening the broader Korea-U.S. partnership.

Kim also proposed accelerating the implementation of agreements outlined in the Korea-U.S. Joint Fact Sheet (JFS), including cooperation in security-related sectors such as nuclear-powered submarines, nuclear energy and shipbuilding.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office, Vance welcomed the passage of the investment law, noting that it establishes the legal foundation for implementing the investment agreement. He also stressed the importance of close communication between the two countries on investment-related issues.

Talks on critical minerals and trade barriers

Kim also highlighted bilateral cooperation in critical minerals and explained the South Korean government’s recent decision regarding a request from a U.S. company to export map data.

Vance praised the move and said the two countries should continue consultations on issues such as non-tariff barriers.

Kim also noted that matters Vance had raised during their January meeting — including issues related to Coupang and certain religious concerns — were being managed in a stable manner.

Vance said the United States respects South Korea’s domestic laws and institutions and expressed appreciation for Seoul’s efforts to maintain communication on issues of interest to Washington.

Dialogue with North Korea remains open

The two sides also exchanged views on the situation on the Korean Peninsula.

Kim and Vance reaffirmed that the door to dialogue with North Korea remains open and agreed to maintain close communication on Korean Peninsula issues.

The Prime Minister’s Office said the meeting deepened the personal rapport and trust between the two leaders following their first meeting in January and is expected to strengthen communication on major bilateral issues.

The official statement did not mention whether the two sides discussed the investigation launched by the U.S. Trade Representative under Section 301 of the Trade Act against 16 economies, including South Korea, China, Japan and the European Union. However, observers say the non-tariff barrier issue mentioned by Vance could be partially related to that probe.

#Kim Min-seok #JD Vance #Korea US relations #Korea US investment law #non-tariff barriers