Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) and SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won delivers his opening remarks during the Korea-U.S. Business Night Gala Dinner at the Great Hall of the Thomas Jefferson Building, Washington, Wednesday (local time). Courtesy of KCCI

The first Korean business delegation sent to Washington since U.S. President Donald Trump's inauguration in January has discussed strategic industrial cooperation between the two countries with high-ranking officials from the White House and the Department of the Treasury.

The Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), which organized the delegation, said Friday that a White House official described their meeting on Wednesday (local time) as the most fruitful one among those with business delegations sent from more than 20 countries after Trump's inauguration.

According to the business lobby, the White House pledged to continue discussions with the delegation members, highlighting the administration's efforts to ease regulations that have hindered companies from making investment decisions in the United States.

This response came as KCCI and SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won emphasized that Korean companies have collectively invested over $160 billion in the U.S. over the past eight years, creating more than 800,000 jobs — most of which are well-paying manufacturing jobs with annual wages exceeding $100,000.

Comprised of senior executives from major Korean conglomerates, the delegation also asked the White House to carry out predictable policies, according to the KCCI.

The chamber said that the delegation particularly talked with the White House about ways to create synergy in the fields of shipbuilding, energy, nuclear power plants, artificial intelligence and semiconductors, mobility, and the production of materials, components and equipment.

A day after meeting with White House officials, the KCCI chairman spoke with a treasury department official about how Korean companies have contributed to the U.S. through their investments, tax payments and job creation.

According to the KCCI, the chairman urged the department to help finance Korean companies in the U.S. so that they can continue investing in strategically important sectors.

HS Hyosung Vice Chairman Cho Hyun-sang, center, talks with Korean Ambassador to the United States Cho Hyun-dong, left, and Matt Murray, the U.S. senior official for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, during the Korea-U.S. Business Night Gala Dinner at the Great Hall of the Thomas Jefferson Building, Washington, Wednesday (local time). Courtesy of HS Hyosung

On Wednesday evening, the KCCI hosted the Korea-U.S. Business Night Gala Dinner at the Great Hall of the Thomas Jefferson Building, attracting over 250 participants, including both countries' businesspeople, U.S. lawmakers, state governors and former cabinet members.

Matt Murray, the U.S. senior official for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), said in his congratulatory remarks that the forthcoming APEC summit in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, will be a great opportunity for Korea to show its leadership. The international event will take place from late October to early November, along with various side events, including the APEC CEO summit.

"During the delegation's visit, HS Hyosung Vice Chairman Cho Hyun-sang, who chairs the APEC Business Advisory Council, encouraged U.S. business leaders to take part in the APEC CEO summit," the KCCI said.

Alongside Chey and Cho, the delegation also included Samsung Electronics President Kim Won-kyoung, SK On Vice Chairman Yu Jeong-joon, SK Supex Council President Lee Hyung-hee, Hyundai Motor President Sung Kim and American Chamber of Commerce in Korea Chairman James Kim, among others.

The delegation's recent trip coincided with Deputy Trade Minister Park Jong-won's visit to Washington from Monday to Friday.

According to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, he asked U.S. trade authorities to exempt Korea from Trump's steel and aluminum tariffs, as well as reciprocal tariffs, highlighting the Korea-U.S. free trade agreement that has been in place for over a decade.

On Friday, acting President Choi Sang-mok instructed officials to more actively reach out to the U.S. and indicate the government's position on Washington's trade policy.

"We must actively engage with the new U.S. administration to effectively convey our stance and explore ways for cooperation," he said during a meeting with ministers and senior officials on economic affairs.