On Thursday, April 2, a bipartisan U.S. Senate delegation, including Senator Jeanne Shaheen, Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee held back-to-back meetings in Seoul: first, a luncheon meeting with Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and then a closed-door meeting with President Lee Jae-myung at Cheong Wa Dae (CWD).

In a statement, released the same day, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) emphasized that Foreign Minister Cho highlighted the Joint Fact Sheet [JFS] adopted at the October 2024 Gyeongju summit, expressing hope that its faithful and swift implementation would maximize the shared interests and prosperity of both countries amid rapidly shifting international circumstances. Minister Cho also noted that the passage of the Special Act on Strategic Investment in the United States by the National Assembly on March 12 has established the legal framework needed for rapid implementation of the JFS commitment to $350 billion in strategic investment.

According to the MOFA release, the U.S. delegation pledged congressional efforts to promote future-oriented bilateral cooperation in critical minerals, supply chains, and advanced technology, in addition to smooth implementation of core JFS commitments. Furthermore, the delegation acknowledged Korea's tangible contribution to job creation and income growth in American communities through its investments and committed to exploring ways to cooperate at the congressional level.

The April 2 CWD release stated that President Lee and the delegation held in-depth discussions on the ROK–U.S. alliance and Korean Peninsula issues, as well as the security and economic ramifications of the war in the Middle East and possible responses. Both sides agreed on the importance of close and ongoing communication between the two countries as they navigate the economic fallout ahead.

President Lee expressed high regard for the ROK–U.S. alliance, the CWD statement read, adding that it has grown continuously over the past seven-plus decades and has evolved into a "future-oriented comprehensive strategic alliance" encompassing not only security and the economy but also advanced technology and strategic industries.

President Lee also called on the U.S. Senate to actively support concrete progress this year in key areas agreed upon by the two countries' leaders last year — including a U.S.-bound investment package, the peaceful use of nuclear energy, nuclear-powered submarines, and shipbuilding. The U.S. delegation reaffirmed that, even amid the current instability in the international environment brought on by the Middle East war and other developments, their support for the ROK–U.S. alliance and the United States' firm commitment to security on the Korean Peninsula remain unchanged.

According to the CWD statement, President Lee outlined his government's efforts toward the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and the achievement of peace and stability. He then requested bipartisan support from the U.S. Congress. Afterward, the U.S. delegation expressed strong appreciation for the Korean government's work to reduce inter-Korean military tensions and rebuild mutual trust, and pledged active cooperation at the congressional level in support of peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.

The delegation also underscored the importance of strengthening strategic cooperation with the Republic of Korea — a key ally — for the revitalization of American shipbuilding and manufacturing, and announced that it would actively support, at the congressional level, the swift implementation of agreements reached by the two countries' leaders last year.

President Lee further stressed that, for Korea's strategic investment in the United States to proceed smoothly, it is essential that shocking incidents such as last year's detention of Korean nationals in Georgia never recur, and that U.S. efforts to improve the visa system to ensure more stable residency conditions for Korean workers in the United States must be accelerated. He also made a special appeal for the U.S. Congress's close attention and support in passing the Partner with Korea Act — legislation centered on the creation of a new employment visa category for Korean professional workers. The U.S. delegation expressed agreement and pledged to take an active and attentive interest in visa issues affecting Korean workers, including the Partner with Korea Act.

Attendees at today's meeting included Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D–NH), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee; Senator John Curtis (R–UT); Senator Thom Tillis (R–NC); and Senator Jacky Rosen (D–NV).

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MOFA and CWD press releases translated by AI, and edited by David Kendall