Seoul: South Korean Industry Minister Ahn Duk-geun is set to meet with the governor of Alaska next week in Seoul to discuss Seoul's possible participation in a gas pipeline project in the U.S. state, diplomatic sources revealed Tuesday.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Ahn plans to hold a face-to-face meeting with Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy, who is scheduled to visit Seoul for two days starting Monday. The discussions are expected to focus on Seoul's potential investment in the Alaska liquefied natural gas (LNG) project, initially proposed during the Donald Trump administration. This project aims to construct a nearly 1,200-kilometer gas pipeline from Alaska's North Slope to the southern port of Nikiski.
South Korea is contemplating involvement in the project as part of its strategy to negotiate new U.S. tariffs. Earlier this month, Trump expressed openness to Seoul's potential participation, along with Tokyo's involvement. South Korea and Japan are the world's second- and third-largest LNG importers, respectively.
Seoul's proposal to join the Alaska project is seen as a strategic move to mitigate its trade surplus with the United States and avoid new "reciprocal" tariffs. Industry experts suggest the project could present new opportunities for South Korean industries, particularly in steel, shipbuilding, and construction, as these sectors possess advanced technologies suited for gas pipeline construction.
However, the project could pose financial risks for Korean companies. Consequently, the South Korean government has indicated it will carefully evaluate the economic viability and potential challenges of the project before committing to a decision.