Backlash Grows Within the Ruling Party Over Korea-U.S. Investment Pressure

As U.S. President Donald Trump pressured South Korea by mentioning the possibility of tariff increases in relation to its investment in Alaska liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects, backlash emerged within the ruling party. Democratic Party of Korea Finance and Economy Planning Committee Chair Cho Seungrae said that the South KoreaU.S. relationship is not one of command and obedience, but a partnership based on mutual respect, and stated that the standard for judging investments in the U.S. is commercial rationality. He said that a method that effectively forces unagreed investments cannot be accepted. Rep. Oh Kihyung and spokesperson Lee Yongwoo also voiced similar criticism. They emphasized that any project must be judged on profitability and the national interest, and that some investments cannot be pursued without National Assembly approval. The article also noted that the Special Act on Investment in the U.S. sets commercial rationality as an important criterion.