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Korean firms urged to harness APEC gains for US market
expansion
Experts warn of remaining challenges in global trade environment
\At Thursday’s Doing Business in the U.S. Seminar, co-hosted
by the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea (AMCHAM) and Korea Chamber of
Commerce and Industry (KCCI), AMCHAM Chairman James Kim highlighted the
importance of building on that strength. He referred to the Seoul-Washington
joint fact sheet released last week as a further milestone in the countries’
deepening economic partnership.
“Korea’s leadership at the APEC summit demonstrated what
our two countries can achieve when we work together,” he said. “Today’s seminar
builds on that momentum by helping Korean companies prepare for the next wave
of opportunities in the U.S. market.”
Now in its seventh year, the seminar attracted heightened
attention, especially in light of fast-changing trade dynamics and uncertain
U.S. policies.
“Global uncertainty continues to grow as protectionism
spreads, industrial policies evolve and supply chains shift,” said KCCI
Executive Vice President Park Dong-min.
He described the joint fact sheet as a meaningful milestone
that enhances Korean companies’ credibility and expands their opportunities in
the U.S. market.
“Last week’s Korea-U.S. joint fact sheet sends a clear
message of both countries’ intent to strengthen cooperation in strategic
sectors such as shipbuilding, semiconductors, space and artificial
intelligence,” he said. “Today’s seminar is especially valuable because it
provides practical guidance in areas where companies face the greatest
challenges.”
James Heller, deputy chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy
in Seoul, emphasized the strength of the economic partnership and reaffirmed
the embassy’s commitment to working closely with Korean investors in the U.S.
to ensure their ongoing success.
“President Trump’s recent visit to Gyeongju was a landmark
success, marking the start of a new chapter in our alliance,” he said.
“Following the conclusion of bilateral negotiations at the
APEC summit, some uncertainties surrounding Korea-U.S. economic relations
appear to have eased,” said Kim Jong-duk, executive director at the Korea
Institute for International Economic Policy. “However, because U.S. external
economic policy is closely tied to structural challenges such as weakened
manufacturing competitiveness, widening income inequality and strategic
competition with China, significant shifts are unlikely in the near term.”
Kim advised Korean firms to reassess their U.S. strategies
while also seeking opportunities in traditionally overlooked markets.
Jung Man-suk, lawyer at Daeyang Immigration Law Group,
stressed the importance of choosing the correct visa category for sending
employees to the U.S.
“For Korean companies seeking successful U.S. market entry
and smooth personnel deployment, choosing the right visa category is absolutely
essential,” he said. “The scope of permissible activities — and even the
likelihood of approval — varies substantially depending on the visa type. A
thorough understanding of these distinctions is crucial.”
