South Korea Announces Up to $200 Billion Investment in US Energy

On September 30, 2026, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that South Korea will invest up to $200 billion in energy infrastructure projects across the United States. The announcement includes plans for a gas-fired power plant in Texas, eight nuclear reactors, and an LNG pipeline project in Alaska.

The investment is part of a broader Korea-U.S. agreement, with South Korea committing a total of $350 billion in U.S. investments. Of this, $150 billion is allocated for shipbuilding, while the remainder targets strategic sectors such as energy infrastructure.

According to the details provided, the Texas gas-fired power plant, known as Project Star, is valued at approximately $22 billion and is expected to generate around 6 gigawatts of electricity. The nuclear power initiative involves up to $120 billion for eight reactors, which are planned for locations including Ohio, Tennessee, South Carolina, and Kentucky.

South Korea has also outlined plans to invest over $50 billion in the Alaska LNG pipeline project. This investment is contingent on commercial viability and compliance with domestic legal requirements, according to the information released.

What the numbers show

• Project Star in Texas is valued at about $22 billion and will provide 6 GW of electricity.
• The nuclear component involves up to $120 billion for eight reactors in four states.
• South Korea's planned Alaska LNG investment exceeds $50 billion, pending further review.

South Korea’s government has indicated that, as of the announcement date, only the Texas gas-fired power plant project has reached a finalized agreement. The nuclear and Alaska LNG projects are still subject to ongoing discussions and have not yet been formally concluded.

The investment package is structured to support both immediate and long-term infrastructure development in the U.S. energy sector. The finalized Texas project represents the first step under the new agreement, with additional projects potentially moving forward as negotiations continue.

According to media reports, the broader agreement between the two countries is designed to strengthen economic ties and enhance cooperation in strategic industries. The energy projects are part of a larger portfolio of investments that also includes shipbuilding and other sectors.

Further updates on the status of the nuclear and LNG projects are expected as discussions between South Korea and the United States progress. The timeline for finalizing these additional investments has not been specified in the available information.

* This article is based on publicly available information at the time of writing.