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U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance speaks to reporters before boarding Air Force Two at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, on the 6th (local time). Republican Senator Dan Sullivan (Alaska) listens beside him. / Reuters, Yonhap

Article Summary: 

1. U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance stated that Washington will complete the Alaska liquefied natural gas (LNG) project by working with either South Korea's current or next administration, while adding that the U.S. could partner with other countries such as Japan if necessary.

2. Vice President Vance noted that "there are some political dynamics" in South Korea, pointing to uncertainties surrounding Seoul's investment participation.

3. President Trump previously announced that South Korea agreed to invest $50 billion in the Alaska LNG project, but the South Korean government maintains that the investment has not been finalized.

4. Republican Senator Dan Sullivan (Alaska) stated that project financing has been secured, though discussions regarding negotiations and project structure remain ongoing.

U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance stated on the 6th (local time) that the United States will complete the Alaska liquefied natural gas (LNG) development project by cooperating with either South Korea's current or next administration, while adding that Washington could partner with other countries such as Japan if necessary. Vice President Vance pointed to "political dynamics" inside South Korea as a source of uncertainty, yet reaffirmed the Donald Trump administration's commitment to pushing the project forward.

Vance says the U.S. "will work with Korea's current or next government"

In an interview with local broadcaster Alaska's News Source, Vice President Vance said, "Frankly, I think there are some political dynamics in South Korea." He added, "Whether we work with the current administration in Korea, the next administration, or frankly, if we have to work with Japan or other countries, we are going to get this project done."

Vance's remarks signal that the U.S. will continue to push the Alaska LNG project ahead even as the South Korean government's investment participation remains unconfirmed. Beyond South Korea, Vice President Vance explicitly raised the possibility of partnering with Japan and other nations.

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U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance delivers a speech at a campaign rally held at Fairbanks International Airport in Alaska on the 5th (local time). / AP, Yonhap

Vance says the demand for Alaska gas is high

Vice President Vance said, "People are desperate for the natural gas that is produced in Alaska." 

He argued that natural gas from Alaska is "cheaper, it's higher quality, it's more reliable because it's coming from Alaska as opposed to some tin-pot dictatorship."   

Emphasizing the demand for Alaskan gas and the Trump administration's resolve to push the venture forward, Vance said, "We are going to get this done."

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U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick (left) speaks regarding the Alaska energy infrastructure project in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., on September 30 (local time). U.S. President Donald Trump and Republican Senator Dan Sullivan (Alaska) listen on. / Reuters, Yonhap

Sullivan says ‘funding secured’ as talks on negotiations, project structure continue

Vice President JD Vance campaigned in Fairbanks, Alaska, on the previous day in support of Republican Senate candidate Dan Sullivan. Sullivan said funding had been secured for the Alaska LNG project.

Sullivan said, “There is still a lot of discussion taking place over negotiations and the project structure, but that (securing the funding) is the biggest difference from before.” Alaska has traditionally been a Republican stronghold, but uncertainty surrounding the Senate race has grown as some polls show Democratic candidate Mary Peltola leading Sullivan.

Trump says South Korea to invest $50 billion, but Seoul says a final decision has not yet made

On Sept. 30, President Donald Trump announced a $200 billion package of South Korean investment projects in the U.S. energy sector, saying South Korea had agreed to invest $50 billion in the Alaska LNG project.

The South Korean government, however, maintains that no decision has been made on an investment in Alaska LNG. Trump later pressed Seoul to reach an agreement quickly, warning that South Korea would face a higher cost if it does not invest in the Alaska LNG project.

                                                                                                                Ha Man-ju