Washington: Land Minister Kim Yun-duk pledged efforts to help address visa issues for South Korean construction firms operating in the United States. This comes amid their increasing presence in the region, aligned with Washington's initiatives to enhance energy infrastructure and boost manufacturing.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Kim made these remarks during a meeting with reporters following discussions with Korean entrepreneurs in the U.S. Kim, who arrived in Washington on Saturday, leads a Korean delegation aimed at supporting Korean firms in entering U.S. infrastructure projects. The minister emphasized the need for collaborative efforts between his ministry and the foreign ministry to effectively tackle visa concerns for Korean workers.

Securing appropriate visas remains a critical issue for Korean construction firms aiming to establish or expand their operations in the U.S. This challenge persists despite recent joint efforts by Seoul and Washington to address visa problems for skilled Korean workers, following a U.S. immigration raid at a Korean factory in Georgia in September.

Kim highlighted the progress South Korean construction companies have made in securing contracts in the U.S., noting the continued growth of their momentum. He also proposed the establishment of a government support system to assist and collaborate with these firms on specific issues.

Additionally, Kim announced plans to create a regular dialogue platform involving land ministry officials and Korean company representatives in the U.S. to address their concerns more efficiently. Later in the day, Kim is scheduled to attend an event celebrating a South Korea-U.S. project focused on producing low-carbon ammonia in Indiana.