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Evan Greenberg, chairman of the U.S.-Korea Business Council, delivers an opening address at the 36th Korea-U.S. Business Council General Meeting held at the FKI Tower Conference Center in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 15th. / Yonhap

President Lee Jae-myung met with Evan Greenberg, chairman of the U.S.-Korea Business Council (USKBC), on the 15th to discuss ways to expand bilateral trade ties and cooperation in investment and industry. This materialized plans for cooperation with the business communities of both nations just two weeks after the first project under South Korea's strategic investment in the U.S. was finalized.

According to Cheong Wa Dae, President Lee received Chairman Greenberg at the presidential office on the afternoon of the same day and was briefed on the outcomes of the 36th Korea-U.S. Business Council General Meeting.

During the meeting, President Lee discussed economic cooperation measures, including expanding investment and industrial collaboration between South Korea and the U.S., and called on the USKBC to play an active role in strengthening bilateral economic partnership.

The meeting took place as South Korea and the U.S. accelerate the implementation of strategic investments in the U.S. totaling $350 billion.

On the 1st, both governments finalized the construction of a combined-cycle gas power plant in Texas as the first investment project and announced follow-up plans, including cooperation on U.S. nuclear power plant construction and reviewing the Alaska liquefied natural gas (LNG) project.

Earlier that morning at the 36th Korea-U.S. Business Council General Meeting held at the FKI Tower Conference Center in Yeouido, Seoul, business leaders from both nations discussed ways to expand cooperation across advanced industries, including shipbuilding, semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI), and energy, and adopted a joint statement.

This general meeting took place after the South Korean and U.S. governments finalized "Project Star," the initial project under the strategic investment plan in the U.S., on the 1st. The business communities of both countries focused their discussions on follow-up implementation measures for the investment agreement.

They also called on both governments for practical support, such as prompt licensing and permits and resolving visa issues, to ensure the smooth implementation of strategic investments in the U.S.

Chairman Greenberg said in his opening remarks at the general meeting, "Public-private coordination must be strengthened so that businesses of both countries can continue investing in a predictable environment."

                                                                                                        Park Young-hoon