▲ Ruling and opposition lawmakers discuss the government's postponement of a closed-door briefing on U.S.-bound investment projects during a plenary meeting of the National Assembly's finance committee on Sept. 17, 2026. (Yonhap)
▲ President Lee Jae Myung (R) shakes hands with U.S. President Donald Trump, during a dinner banquet for state leaders participating in this year's summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum at the Hilton Hotel in the southeastern city of Gyeongju on Oct. 29, 2025. (Yonhap)

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SEOUL, Sept. 20 (Yonhap) -- The government will brief the National Assembly next week on the first investment project under South Korea's US$350 billion investment commitment to the United States, officials said Sunday.

The industry ministry is scheduled to hold a closed-door briefing at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday for the National Assembly's trade, industry, energy, SMEs and startups committee on the planned U.S.-bound investment, according to committee officials.

Seoul and Washington adopted a joint fact sheet (JFS) following last year's summit between President Lee Jae Myung and U.S. President Donald Trump. Under the agreement, South Korea pledged $350 billion in investment in the U.S., including $150 billion for shipbuilding cooperation, in exchange for lower U.S. tariff rates.

The two countries had initially been expected to announce the first project on Friday after the government briefed the National Assembly last Thursday, but the announcement was postponed as they continued to iron out differences.

"If the negotiations have been concluded by then, the briefing will cover the final outcome. If negotiations are still under way, it will be provided as an interim report," a committee official said.

"If the negotiations result in an increase in the amount of investment or terms that could put South Korea at a disadvantage, lawmakers will examine the details and discuss whether parliamentary approval would be required," he added.

The National Assembly's finance committee is also discussing the timing of a separate briefing, either before or after the industry committee's meeting on Tuesday, another official said.

The government is expected to provide relatively detailed plans on the scale and allocation of funding for potential energy projects, including a large-scale gas-fired power plant in Texas and nuclear power projects.

Sources said the two sides remain at odds over how to ensure "commercial viability," which South Korea is seeking to guarantee as part of its investment commitments.

The Seoul government is seeking safeguards that would allow it to adjust or halt investments if projects prove economically unviable or unexpected risks arise, while also calling for an annual cap on investment transfers.

The U.S., however, has reportedly shown reluctance toward Seoul's proposed safeguards and is pressing for some projects to move forward more quickly.

"Our key negotiating principle is that investments can only be made when commercial viability is guaranteed," a government official said. "The two sides remain divided over the issue, which has made the negotiations difficult. If no agreement is reached, the talks could ultimately fall apart."

Foreign Minister Cho Hyun told reporters Friday (U.S. time) following his talks with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington that they agreed to continue communicating closely to implement key agreements between the two leaders.

The U.S. State Department said Rubio stressed the need to swiftly implement the investment commitments.

The JFS also includes other security-related arrangements, such as Seoul's push to develop nuclear-powered submarines and secure rights to enrich uranium and reprocess spent nuclear fuel.

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