Seoul: Acting President Han Duck-soo and U.S. Secretary of the Navy John Phelan have reached a consensus on the necessity of bolstering cooperation in the shipbuilding industry, which has become a pivotal element in the ongoing tariff negotiations between South Korea and the United States. Phelan's visit to South Korea includes a tour of the headquarters and shipyards of prominent shipbuilders HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. and Hanwha Ocean Co.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the meeting took place at the government complex in Seoul, where Han emphasized the significance of the 70-year-old alliance between South Korea and the United States in maintaining peace and stability in the region. He highlighted the current trade discussions as a testament to South Korea's commitment to nurturing and advancing this alliance, particularly pointing to the shipbuilding sector as an area ripe for mutual benefit.
Han proposed that South Korea is ideally positioned to assist in the revitalization of the U.S. shipbuilding sector, expressing a desire to deepen cooperation based on the trust built through the successful maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) of U.S. naval ships by South Korean companies.
Phelan echoed Han's sentiments, expressing strong agreement on the importance of enhancing shipbuilding collaboration. He noted that the MRO partnership has significantly bolstered the readiness of the U.S. Navy and committed to pursuing active engagement with South Korean firms in the shipbuilding domain.