Alaska Governor: Why the Alaska LNG Pipeline Matters for South Korea's Energy Security

Newsweek

2 days ago

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In his March joint address to Congress, President Donald J. Trump highlighted the strategic importance of the Alaska LNG Pipeline. "My administration is working on a gigantic natural gas pipeline in Alaska, among the largest in the world, where South Korea and other nations want to be our partner," he declared. "It will be truly spectacular. It's all set to go."
The significance of the president of the United States calling out an individual LNG project during such an occasion was historic. It speaks to the critical need for the initiative that is receiving backing from both President Trump and Seoul. South Korea stands as a cornerstone of America's Indo-Pacific strategy, and energy cooperation presents an opportunity to deepen their alliance. Just as importantly, it creates a platform for collaboration on environmental innovation, especially in emissions reduction and clean energy technology, ensuring that our shared energy future aligns with climate goals as well as strategic ones.
Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy delivers remarks to service members, first responders, and their families on the 22nd anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, on September 11, 2023.
Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy delivers remarks to service members, first responders, and their families on the 22nd anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, on September 11, 2023.
SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images
Following President Trump's address, our two nations established a specialized working group during the Washington summit to examine Korean participation in the Alaska LNG Pipeline—demonstrating a serious commitment to this potentially transformative project.
South Korea currently imports nearly 90 percent of its energy, making it the world's third-largest LNG buyer. It is important that the source of this energy comes from nations with the same democratic values and strategic vision that define the U.S.-South Korea partnership. Alaska's vast resources can provide a more aligned alternative. When democratic allies fuel each other's economies, both nations benefit from enhanced security and stability.
With construction permits approved and development underway, the Alaska LNG Pipeline will connect the North Slope's substantial reserves—estimated at 35 trillion cubic feet—to tidewater, facilitating shipments across the Pacific. Recent geopolitical developments, from tensions in the Taiwan Strait to Russia's weaponization of energy exports, underscore the importance of reliable partnerships. Alaska provides a direct Pacific route that bypasses traditional chokepoints, offering Seoul a more secure supply line from a trusted ally.
History shows that economic ties shape strategic relationships. The European experience with Russian energy has demonstrated the risks of dependency on unreliable suppliers. For South Korea, with its manufacturing-intensive economy and limited domestic resources, diversification represents a national security imperative rather than simply an economic preference.
Our energy partnership has deep historical foundations. After the Korean War, American aid in rebuilding power infrastructure helped launch the nation's remarkable journey from devastation to becoming a technological powerhouse. The Alaska LNG Pipeline offers an opportunity to write the next chapter in this shared story of progress and cooperation.
Thanks to the 2012 U.S.-South Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA), the U.S. has already granted South Korea privileged access to American energy exports, including LNG. With the Alaska LNG Pipeline, this landmark trade agreement can transform from a theoretical framework into a powerful mechanism delivering real energy security for the Korean peninsula.
South Korea brings exceptional strengths to this partnership. Companies like KOGAS possess world-class expertise in LNG operations, while South Korean engineering firms excel in energy infrastructure development. South Korea is also a global leader in environmental and emissions reduction technologies. As both nations work to balance energy security with climate responsibilities, collaboration on cleaner LNG production, carbon capture, and methane abatement technologies could ensure that this project supports environmental goals alongside strategic ones.
Cooperation in these critical technologies would not only reduce the carbon footprint of LNG but also align with South Korea's broader climate ambitions—ensuring the partnership is resilient, forward-looking, and sustainable. A long-term, secure LNG supply paired with technology collaboration can provide Seoul with the energy stability it needs, while enhancing regional decarbonization and alliance cohesion.
To maximize mutual benefits, both administrations should prioritize this project's advancement. The United States and South Korea share fundamental commitments to democratic governance and market economies. We have collaborated for decades to promote regional stability and prosperity. By securing a reliable, sustainable energy corridor between our nations, we strengthen these enduring bonds.
As competition with non-democratic powers intensifies across multiple domains, strategic investments between trusted allies become increasingly vital. The Alaska LNG Pipeline is more than an energy project—it's a foundation for deeper economic integration, stronger security cooperation, and lasting prosperity across the Indo-Pacific.
Governor Mike Dunleavy is the 12th governor of Alaska.
The views expressed in this article are the writer's own.