Philadelphia: President Lee Jae Myung visited the Hanwha Philly Shipyard on Tuesday, marking South Korea's dedication to aiding the revival of the United States' shipbuilding sector.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Lee's visit came shortly after a summit with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House. During his tour, Lee participated in the christening ceremony of the National Security Multi-Mission Vessel (NSMV) "State of Maine," which was constructed for the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD). The event was attended by senior officials from both nations, highlighting the significance of the collaboration.

The Philadelphia shipyard represents the first U.S. acquisition by a South Korean company and is a vital component of Seoul's shipbuilding cooperation initiative, titled "Make American Shipbuilding Great Again" (MASGA). Lee emphasized South Korea's commitment to bolstering U.S. maritime security and reviving American shipbuilding. The MASGA project is envisioned as a collaborative effort that will advance the shipbuilding industries of both countries.

Lee expressed optimism that this initiative would enhance the alliance between the two nations, transforming it into a "future-oriented, comprehensive strategic partnership" that encompasses security, economic, and technological cooperation. Hanwha has committed to increasing the shipyard's production capacity, aiming to expand from 1.5 ships to 20 ships annually.

At the ceremony, Hanwha Vice Chairman Kim Dong-kwan described the NSMV State of Maine as a representation of the partnership between the two countries. The ship, the third of five ordered by MARAD, will serve dual purposes: merchant fleet training during peacetime and disaster response and rescue missions during emergencies.

The initiative was pivotal in facilitating a recent trade agreement between Seoul and Washington, which includes plans for constructing new shipyards in the U.S., building American ships, and developing shipbuilding personnel. At the summit, Trump expressed enthusiasm about purchasing Korean ships and collaborating with South Korea to rejuvenate America's shipbuilding industry.

After the shipyard visit, Lee is set to return to Seoul, concluding a six-day trip that also included a stop in Tokyo for discussions with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.