A senior United States State Department official recently visited major South Korean companies in Seoul to discuss bilateral cooperation in areas related to supply chains, according to his social media Friday. Jose Fernandez, under secretary of state for economic growth, energy and the environment, wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, that he held meetings with Hyundai Motor, Samsung Electronics, Hanwha Q Cells, SK Group and POSCO Future M during his recent trip to Seoul. Fernandez visited South Korea this week for annual vice-ministerial economic talks with Seoul. The under secretary said the meetings centered on advancing "the strong investment ties between the United States and the Republic of Korea that produce tangible benefits to both our countries." Fernandez also shared a photo of his meeting with POSCO Future M CEO Kim Jun-hyung, saying that they discussed collaboration in electric vehicle (EV) batteries and supply chains of critical minerals. Additionally, he shared details of his meeting wi th SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won. Fernandez said he told Chey that SK's investments in EV battery production in the U.S. state of Georgia were helping create American and Korean jobs and helping his country transition to clean energy. The under secretary also thanked Hyundai Motor for its "continued partnership and investments in the U.S." while uploading a photo of his meeting with Kim Geol, a Hyundai Motor president. Source: Yonhap News Agency