Overview
- South Korea’s National Assembly approved a special law on March 12 that creates the domestic legal basis to implement Seoul’s US$350 billion investment pledge in the United States.
- Vice President J.D. Vance welcomed the legislation as establishing needed legal conditions, and a U.S. official called the passage a positive, if delayed, step tied to commitments in the bilateral joint fact sheet.
- Prime Minister Kim Min-seok met President Donald Trump on March 13 and said Trump asked whether Kim Jong-un wants talks with the United States, with the president described as open to dialogue while leaving timing unspecified.
- Kim discussed the new Section 301 investigation with USTR Jamieson Greer, who said the probe is not aimed specifically at South Korea and suggested Seoul could be well positioned depending on the issues.
- Seeking to staff planned projects, Kim asked Sen. Andy Kim to help pass the Partner with Korea Act to improve visa conditions for skilled South Korean workers, and the senator pledged to pursue bipartisan support.