What did Donald Trump say about Korea and the Alaska LNG project?

Trump said Korea would face higher charges if it does not agree to join the Alaska LNG project. He also said that if Seoul does not sign soon, he would double it up.

How large is the Alaska LNG project and what does it involve?

The project involves building a 1,298-kilometer pipeline from Alaska’s North Slope to southern Alaska. The gas would be cooled into liquid form for shipment to Asia.

Has Korea agreed to invest in the Alaska LNG project?

No final decision has been made. Seoul said it has not yet finalized whether to participate, even as Lutnick said Korea will invest over $50 billion in the project.

Trump threatens to 'charge' Korea 'more' if it rejects Alaska LNG project

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Summary

Trump threatened in Washington on Friday to charge Korea more if it rejects participation in an Alaska LNG project. He made the remarks two days after unveiling Korea’s U.S. investment projects under the bilateral trade deal. Seoul has said it has not finalized a decision on the project.

Key Facts

Trump said Korea would be charged more if it does not agree to invest in the Alaska LNG project.
He said the first package of Korea’s U.S. investment projects includes the Alaska LNG project, a Texas gas-fired power plant, and eight large-scale nuclear power plants.
Howard Lutnick said Korea will invest over $50 billion in the Alaska project.
The LNG project would involve a 1,298-kilometer pipeline from the North Slope to southern Alaska.
Seoul said it has not yet finalized a decision on whether to participate.

By Yonhap

Published Oct 3, 2026 12:31 am KST
Updated Oct 3, 2026 9:00 am KST

President Donald Trump speaks in the Oval Office of the White House, Wednesday, in Washington. AP-Yonhap

WASHINGTON — U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday threatened to "charge" Korea "more" if it does not agree to invest in a liquefied natural gas (LNG) project in Alaska, which he has claimed the Asian country will participate in.

Trump made the remarks during a press availability at the White House, two days after he unveiled the first package of Korea's U.S. investment projects under last year's bilateral trade deal, which he said consists of the LNG project, the construction of a gas-fired power plant in Texas and eight large-scale nuclear power plants.

On the LNG project, Seoul has said that it has not yet finalized a decision on whether to participate.

"I didn't jump the gun. I mean, they were there and they were represented," he told reporters. "And let's see, if they don't want to do it, that's okay with me. I'll just charge them more."

After asking a reporter, "They said they didn't sign it?," Trump said, "Tell them if they don't sign shortly, I'm going to double it up."

It remains unclear what he will "charge" Korea should Seoul not agree to invest in the Alaska project.

U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has said that Korea will invest over $50 billion in the Alaska project.

The LNG project involves the construction of a 1,298-kilometer-long pipeline from the North Slope, which has massive proven natural gas reserves, to southern Alaska to transport natural gas that will be cooled into liquid form for shipments to Asia.

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