South Korea lodges protest over Trump’s false announcement of Alaska gasline investment

Sullivan spokesperson states ‘it’s not surprising that the details are still getting hashed out’ after he backs president’s false claim at White House event

Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, speaks in the Oval Office of the White House, Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026, in Washington, as President Donald Trump, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and Energy Secretary Chris Wright listen. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

By Mark Sabbatini

Juneau Independent

This story has been updated with additional information.

A protest by South Korea about President Donald Trump’s false announcement that country is investing $54 billion in a long-proposed natural gas pipeline in Alaska has been filed with the U.S. Secretary of Commerce, according to media reports.

The announcement by Trump at the White House on Wednesday, with three statewide Alaska Republican leaders among the attendees, "went far beyond what was agreed," said South Korea Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan, according to The Korea Times.

Korea JoonGang Daily, quoting Kim at a press conference Thursday, reported he said "we judge it on commercial viability and if it doesn't pass we don't proceed," Kim said.

"The U.S. appears eager to use this project for domestic purposes," he said. "I raised a strong objection to that with Commerce Secretary Lutnick this morning. He responded that he understood Korea's concerns and would do his best to make the project succeed together with Korea."

The claimed $54 billion investment roughly matches the cost estimate for the Alaska LNG Project by its primary developer, Glenfarne Group LLC, although the state Department of Revenue told legislators that cost overruns could result in a price tag exceeding $90 billion. Legislation offering tax breaks to the project’s developers stalled in the Alaska Legislature this year.

Trump also falsely announced at Wednesday’s event South Korea is investing up to $120 billion for eight nuclear reactors nationwide. He has made numerous other similar false claims such as announcing Monday a $15 billion steel plant in Iowa is a done deal, although "major hurdles remain," according to a local media report.

The announcement about the Alaska LNG Project was widely seen by political analysts and Trump critics as an effort to support U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, who is in a toss-up race to keep his seat against Democratic challenger Mary Peltola. Also attending the event were Rep. Nick Begich III, R-Alaska, and Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy.

Amanda Coyne, a spokesperson for Sullivan, stated in an email to the Juneau Independent on Friday "this is a big, complicated project and it’s not surprising that the details are still getting hashed out. The South Korean legislature approved a $350 billion investment deal with the US — $150 billion for ships, and $200 billion for strategic projects."

"According to a joint US/Korea fact sheet, a statement from the President of South Korea, and consistent with the White House announcement yesterday, three projects have been agreed upon," she wrote. "The Alaska LNG project is one of those three. What we’re seeing is part of the negotiation. Bottom line: this is going to get built."

Reuters on Wednesday reported South Korea's ​investments will be capped at $20 billion annually ​under ⁠a legally binding agreement and the current year’s funds have been allocated toward the launch of a $22.3 billion gas-fired power project in Texas.

Silver Prout, a spokesperson for Begich, stated in an email Friday that "Congressman Begich attended the announcement with enthusiasm for this longstanding Alaska priority to bring our gas to market."

"The structure of deals of this magnitude is necessarily accompanied by confirmatory diligence and the finalization of binding documentation," she wrote. "The announcement of an intent to proceed is accurate and as confirmed in the press, continues to its next natural step which is standard practice for any significant financing event, whether it be project finance or M&A."

Messages sent by the Juneau Independent to Dunleavy’s office about why he agreed to participate in the announcement — which was contrary to South Korea’s declared position on the Alaska gasline investment made just days earlier — did not receive a response as of Friday morning.

Dunleavy, in a social media post at midday Thursday, declared "The AK LNG project is moving forward, securing Alaska’s future for decades to come."

"This is a milestone for our great state," the governor added in a video shared as part of the post.

A press release issued Wednesday included statements by Dunleavy and Alaska’s entire congressional delegation, including Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, with the headline "Alaska Congressional Delegation, Governor Celebrate Historic $54 Billion Korean Investment in Alaska LNG." Murkowski, who has often criticized Trump, was not at Wednesday’s announcement.

"South Korea’s commitment to invest $54 billion to build the gasline will deliver significant benefits for Alaskans, from good jobs to affordable energy,” Murkowski said as part of a prepared statement in the release. “I look forward to learning more about the timing of South Korea’s investments and other key details of this agreement."

Inquiries by the Juneau Independent to a Murkowski spokesperson on Friday morning did not immediately receive a response.

Peltola’s campaign also issued a press release on Wednesday with the headline "Mary Peltola Statement on $54 Billion South Korean Investment in Alaska LNG Pipeline."

“Today’s announcement is great news for Alaska, and I appreciate President Trump's work to unleash Alaska energy," she said in a prepared statement.

• Contact Mark Sabbatini at editor@juneauindependent.com or (907) 957-2306.