Gyeongju: U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick will engage in a business roundtable with prominent leaders from South Korean and American companies in Gyeongju during the annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) gathering, as reported by Seoul officials. The meeting is scheduled to take place at the Gyeongju Arts Center, coinciding with a summit between South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and U.S. President Donald Trump, although the schedule is subject to change.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the roundtable will feature high-profile attendees, including Samsung Electronics Co. Chairman Lee Jae-yong, SK Group Chair Chey Tae-won, Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Euisun Chung, LG Group Chairman Koo Kwang-mo, Hanwha Group Vice Chairman Kim Dong-kwan, and Korean Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan. U.S. business figures visiting Gyeongju for the APEC CEO Summit, such as Amazon Web Services CEO Matt Garman, are also expected to attend.
The discussions are anticipated to focus on industrial cooperation, following South Korea's pledge to invest US$350 billion in the United States. This investment is intended for collaboration in sectors like shipbuilding, semiconductors, and batteries, as outlined in a framework trade deal between the two countries established in late July.
Attention is centered on whether the two nations will finalize their bilateral trade agreement during the Lee-Trump summit. Discussions continue on the details of the investment package, including financing methods and profit allocation. A similar event was held in Washington in August as part of the Lee-Trump summit's sideline activities.