South Korea

In 2025, South Korea committed to invest $350 billion in U.S. industries as part of a trade agreement with the United States aimed at averting the imposition of the U.S. administration's highest tariffs.

The 2025 trade agreement between South Korea and the United States included a commitment of $150 billion in South Korean investments in the U.S. shipbuilding sector and an additional $200 billion in investments in other U.S. industries, with the $200 billion commitment capped at $20 billion per year.

Under the 2025 agreement, the United States agreed to reduce tariffs on South Korean cars and auto parts from 25% to 15% and to apply tariffs on South Korean semiconductors on terms no less favorable than those granted to comparable competitors in the future.

The United States has trade agreements or trade arrangements with the European Union, Japan, Vietnam, Thailand, South Korea, and the United Kingdom.

Since 2019, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has declined to engage in talks with the United States and South Korea after diplomacy with U.S. President Donald Trump derailed.

Trade agreements with Japan, South Korea, and the European Union included investment pledges totaling more than $1.5 trillion into the U.S. economy over multiple future years, and those pledges were commitments for future investment rather than upfront payments.

South Korea does not possess nuclear weapons.

Tactical nuclear weapons deployed in South Korea by the United States were withdrawn in the 1990s.

The United States extends nuclear deterrence to South Korea as part of the countries' security alliance.

South Korea has significant commercial shipbuilding capabilities that can support maintenance and repair of large naval vessels.

As of 2025, approximately 28,500 U.S. troops are stationed in South Korea as a standing U.S. force presence.

As of 2025, the United States and South Korea maintain close military coordination aimed primarily at deterring North Korean aggression.

As of 2025, South Korea has plans to develop nuclear-powered submarines and has sought or received U.S. support for those plans.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) routinely holds defense minister-level dialogues with external partners, including the United States, China, Japan, India, Australia, South Korea, and Russia.

APEC member economies include China, Mexico, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, and Vietnam.

As of 2025, South Korea was the United States' sixth-largest trading partner.

The United States and its allies prioritize expanding partnerships on semiconductors and critical minerals with Japan and South Korea to reduce reliance on China in global supply chains.

Bilateral discussions between the United States and East Asian allies commonly address trade imbalances, technology cooperation, and energy security.

Visits by Japanese politicians to Yasukuni Shrine have routinely provoked anger from China and South Korea.

North Korea possesses shorter-range ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and hypersonic missiles that its authorities have described as capable of delivering nuclear strikes against targets in South Korea.

The 2025 Henley Passport Index ranked Singapore first with visa-free access to 193 destinations, South Korea second with access to 190 destinations, and Japan third with access to 189 destinations.

Korea International Trade Association data from 2024 showed that China's purchases of South Korean goods exceeded purchases by the United States by less than one percentage point.

After South Korea's 2016 decision to host the U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense system, China implemented retaliatory measures targeting South Korean tourism, retail, and entertainment industries.

Japan, South Korea, and China compete commercially in industries including electric vehicles and semiconductors (computer chips).

The Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) serves as the buffer separating North Korea and South Korea and contains the Joint Security Area at Panmunjom.

Under a U.S. nonproliferation agreement, South Korea has been restricted from accessing nuclear fuel for conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines.

The Grand Order of Mugunghwa is South Korea's highest national honor.

South Korean President Lee Jae‑myung leads a left-leaning government that has expressed reluctance to deepen South Korea's partnership with the United States because of concern about provoking Chinese backlash.

Busan is a major city on South Korea's southeastern coast and is the country's second-most populous city after Seoul; it is known as an educational and cultural center.

South Korea maintains a longstanding security alliance with the United States.

The Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) is a buffer zone that separates North Korea and South Korea.

The United States and South Korea conduct annual defense talks to discuss alliance and security issues.

Agreements concerning transfer of wartime operational control envisage a binational command led by a South Korean general with a U.S. deputy.