Lawmakers from both the ruling and opposition parties said in unison that South Korea's manufacturing sector faces a major turning point, with investment talks with the United States serving as the trigger. They stressed in particular that the country can expand its manufacturing influence within the U.S. around physical artificial intelligence and nuclear power generation.
Kim Sung-won, chairman of the National Assembly's Trade, Industry, Energy, SMEs and Startups Committee, said in congratulatory remarks at the Seoul Economic Daily Future Conference 2026, held on the 17th at the Shilla Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul, that "investment in the U.S. will be a watershed for our manufacturing sector as it shifts from the 'Made in Korea' era to the 'Made by Korea' era."
Kim said, "In particular, I believe manufacturing in the AI era must turn to physical AI at its core and expand its territory globally." He added, "Many people call this a crisis because predictability has declined, but if our manufacturing sector equips itself with physical AI, it will be able to widen its stage beyond the U.S. to the entire world."
Jung Jin-wook, a lawmaker of the Democratic Party of Korea, also said in congratulatory remarks that the standing of the country's manufacturing sector could change going forward. "Until now, our country has not been able to export nuclear power plants to the U.S.," Jung said. "Using the investment talks with the U.S. as a starting point, we are reviewing exporting nuclear power plants to the U.S., and I believe this is part of the process of widening our economic territory."
Jung stressed that a "Team Korea" spirit is needed during the investment negotiations with the U.S. "Whether in industry or trade, whether lawyers or people working at companies, this has become an era in which no one can win or survive on their own play alone," he said. "I believe the spirit of 'Team Korea' is gathering whenever something happens to solve problems and create a path."
He added: "Watching and hearing in real time how the U.S. investment negotiating team led by Industry and Trade Minister Kim Jung-kwan conducts the talks, I felt that we truly have a very good trade negotiating team. I believe 'Team Korea' is fighting with courage."
