In this episode of The Korea Pro Podcast, Jeongmin and John unpack the Lee administration’s $350 billion pledge to the U.S. — a last-minute concession that averted a sweeping 25% tariff on South Korean exports to the U.S.

The hosts examine how the agreement, announced just before the Aug. 1 deadline, includes $100 billion in U.S. energy purchases and $150 billion for shipbuilding cooperation, but remains largely informal and unenforceable.

Jeongmin and John also explore structural risks to South Korea’s energy and shipbuilding pledges, including limited U.S. capacity, Jones Act restrictions and permitting delays. They compare the deal to Japan and the EU’s earlier arrangements, which involved similar headline figures.

About the podcast: The Korea Pro Podcast is a weekly 15-minute conversation hosted by Korea Risk Group Executive Director Jeongmin Kim, Editor John Lee and correspondent Joon Ha Park, diving deep into the most pressing stories shaping South Korea — and dissecting the most complicated ones for professionals monitoring ROK politics, diplomacy, culture, society and technology. Uploaded every Friday.

This episode was recorded on Thursday, July 31, 2025.

Audio edited by Gaby Magnuson