South Korea’s presidential office has said talks with the US on strategic investment projects are continuing after a report said Washington wants faster implementation.
The comment came in response to a Bloomberg News query after the Korea Economic Daily reported on 14 August 2026 that the US had expressed dissatisfaction over South Korea’s failure to announce projects under a $200bn strategic investment commitment.
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An official at the presidential office said discussions with the US are taking place through various channels and that the South Korean Government is addressing bilateral trade issues through frequent communication.
According to the Korea Economic Daily, the US Department of Commerce emailed South Korea this week to urge Seoul to accelerate projects linked to reciprocal tariffs, after similar communications were sent late last month.
The report said the emails stated that further delays could be reported to President Donald Trump.
The presidential office official declined to confirm specific details of the bilateral discussions or internal government communications.
In March, South Korea’s parliament approved a special bill needed to carry out a pledge to invest $350bn in the US.
The legislation allowed for the establishment of a new state-run vehicle to manage investment projects connected to a trade agreement reached with Washington last year.
The $350bn commitment includes $200bn for strategic investments and $150bn for shipbuilding cooperation.
Delays in carrying out the commitment attracted criticism from US President Donald Trump, who threatened in January to impose duties of up to 25% on US imports of Korean goods.
The move led South Korea to fast-track passage of the bill.
Meanwhile, the Yonhap News Agency reported that South Korea’s chief trade negotiator, Yeo Han-koo, has been dismissed from his post, citing an official at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.
The report did not give a reason for the decision.
Yeo previously served as trade minister under the Moon Jae-in administration and was reappointed after President Lee Jae Myung’s administration took office last year.
Since returning to the role, he had played a key part in talks with Washington over US tariffs and South Korea’s investment commitments, according to Yonhap.
