AsianFin -- South Korea’s investment initiatives in the United States remain on hold due to unresolved visa issues, Prime Minister Kim Min-seok said on Wednesday, calling on Washington to act quickly to ease concerns among Korean workers about potential detention.

“Without resolving the visa issue, meaningful progress remains virtually impossible,” Kim told Bloomberg News in an exclusive interview in Seoul, which also covered defense spending and North Korea.

The comments highlight ongoing tensions between the two allies over work visas for South Korean personnel involved in U.S.-based projects, which have created uncertainty for businesses planning investments and collaborations.

Kim emphasized that swift U.S. action is critical not only to protect South Korean nationals but also to ensure continuity in bilateral economic projects spanning technology, manufacturing, and infrastructure sectors.