South Korea, US Discuss Warship Building Cooperation

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung discussed expanding cooperation with the United States on warship construction during a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday, according to South Korea’s presidential office.

Lee and Trump held a 30-minute meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, with shipbuilding emerging as a key area for deeper economic and industrial cooperation between the two allies.

Lee said the talks covered cooperation in the shipbuilding sector, including the construction of warships, and expressed expectations that the partnership would produce tangible results. Seoul’s presidential office did not disclose additional details about specific projects or timelines.

However, the office said Hanwha’s Philly Shipyard in Philadelphia is expected to build U.S. military vessels, highlighting South Korea’s growing role in efforts to strengthen American shipbuilding capacity.

The discussions come as Seoul and Washington move forward with a major $350 billion investment package. South Korea’s Industry Ministry briefed lawmakers on Tuesday about implementation plans for the agreement, which covers several strategic industries and infrastructure projects.

Of the total investment package, $150 billion has been allocated to the shipbuilding sector, making maritime cooperation one of the largest components of the bilateral economic initiative.

A gas-fired power project in Texas has also been identified as a potential first investment under the broader $350 billion package, according to the ministry’s briefing.

South Korean shipbuilders have increasingly sought opportunities in the U.S. market as Washington looks to expand domestic shipbuilding capabilities and strengthen maritime supply chains. Hanwha’s presence in Philadelphia gives South Korea a direct foothold in the American shipbuilding industry.

The Lee-Trump meeting signals that warship construction and shipbuilding investment could become an increasingly important part of South Korea-U.S. economic and security cooperation as both governments work to implement their investment commitments.