▲ South Korean Prime Minister Kim Min-seok (L) and U.S. Vice President JD Vance pose for a photo as they meet for talks at the White House in Washington on Jan. 23, 2026, in this photo released by the prime minister's office. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

(LEAD) PM-Vance-meeting

(LEAD) S. Korean PM meets Vance in Washington after parliament passes U.S. investment bill

(ATTN: RECASTS headline; UPDATES throughout)

By Song Sang-ho

WASHINGTON, March 12 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's Prime Minister Kim Min-seok met with U.S. Vice President JD Vance in Washington on Thursday to exchange views on "overall" bilateral relations, Seoul's embassy in the U.S. capital said.

Their meeting came hours after South Korea's National Assembly passed a special bill on Seoul's commitment to investing US$350 billion in the United States under a bilateral trade deal, paving the way for the Asian country's implementation of the investment pledge.

The two sides were expected to discuss the passage of the bill and other bilateral issues, including joint efforts to resume diplomacy with North Korea.

Kim's visit to the U.S. comes amid speculation that U.S. President Donald Trump could attempt to resume dialogue with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un when he visits China reportedly from late March to early April.

During Kim's previous trip to Washington in January, he proposed to Vance the idea of the U.S. sending a special envoy to North Korea as a way to improve relations between Washington and Pyongyang.

Kim and Vance last met in Washington on Jan. 23.

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