Washington, D.C.: South Korean Energy Minister Ahn Duk-geun has reached an agreement to engage in discussions with the United States regarding the construction of a gas pipeline from South Korea to Alaska. This development follows U.S. President Donald Trump's recent address to Congress, where he unveiled plans for a "massive natural gas pipeline" projected to generate "trillions of dollars" for both nations. Last month, Ahn visited Washington, D.C., seeking exemptions from the new tariffs proposed by Trump.
A spokesperson from the South Korean Ministry of Industry stated, "We will actively pursue discussions with the United States moving forward, as this is a matter of mutual interest for both countries," in response to Trump's remarks.
Officials from both nations indicated that the proposed pipeline could be advantageous for South Korea and the United States. Ahn emphasized the importance of "diversifying import sources as a critical component of energy security." Doug Burgum, co-chair of the White House Energy Dominance Council, expressed confidence that the initiative would contribute to "increasing revenue for the U.S. Treasury."
The pipeline linking Alaska to South Korea is expected to span approximately 800 miles (1,288 kilometers). Trump also mentioned that Japan would potentially be part of this agreement.
Although Japanese officials have not yet committed to formal discussions, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba remarked that the project would align with the national interests of both nations. Japan's trade minister, Yoji Muto, is scheduled to visit Washington this month, following Ahn's lead, to seek exemptions from impending American tariffs.
