Minister Kim Jung-kwan: "$200 Billion Investment in the US to Benefit Korean Companies First"

[Financial News] On the 3rd, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Kim Jung-kwan stated that regarding Korea’s planned $200 billion investment in the United States, "Our companies entering the US market will be given priority in utilizing these benefits."
Speaking at the Middle Market CEO Lecture held at the Grand Hyatt Seoul in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, Minister Kim emphasized, "The $200 billion, described as a 'cash investment,' is not simply money given to the United States."
He explained, "Korea’s $200 billion investment in the US is subject to approval by an investment committee chaired by Howard Lutnick, United States Department of Commerce (DOC) Secretary, and a cooperation committee chaired by myself. The criteria for the $200 billion investment are based on commercial viability—in other words, it must be related to projects capable of generating cash flow."
Minister Kim also remarked, "It is time for our companies to take hold of artificial intelligence (AI) as a new compass and pioneer new routes in the global market."
He further introduced eight key words for the new Age of Discovery: Advance, Link, Leverage, Innovation, Acceleration, Network, Convergence, and Expansion, collectively forming 'A.L.L.I.A.N.C.E.'
Minister Kim asserted, "To narrow the technological gap with the United States and China, Korea needs to advance its technology. We must form connections among universities, small and medium-sized enterprises, mid-sized companies, research institutes, large corporations, and the government, and leverage these links to drive industrial development."
Regarding the pace of technological advancement, Minister Kim cited the Red Queen's race, saying, "To stay in the same place, you must run as fast as you can, but if you want to move ahead, you need to run at least twice as fast." He urged companies to accelerate innovation.
He also described the government’s review of achievements and strategies for the AI Factory M.AX initiative, aimed at the manufacturing AI transformation, and its plan to fully launch AI Factory M.AX to establish an ecosystem for the Age of Discovery and to become a global leader in manufacturing AI by 2030.
Minister Kim stressed, "Just as the advent of the compass in the 15th century ushered in the Age of Discovery and redrew the world’s map of wealth and power, it is now time for our companies to use AI as a new compass to chart new courses in the global market." He called on mid-sized companies, the backbone of Korea’s economy and industry, to actively participate in the industrial AI transformation.
In response, the mid-sized business community agreed on the need to swiftly pursue the industrial AI transformation for corporate survival and growth. They requested expanded policy support for global expansion, technology development, finance, taxation, workforce, and regulatory improvements, citing challenges in responding to AI and green transitions, as well as supply chain restructuring due to US tariff measures.

leeyb@fnnews.com Lee Yu-beom Reporter