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Photo = Hanwha Ocean |
[Alpha Biz= Reporter Kim Jongho, Park Namsook & Kim Minyoung] Seoul, July 25, 2025 – As U.S.-South Korea tariff negotiations emerge as a high-stakes issue, the South Korean government is reportedly proposing the construction of a dedicated MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Operation) base for the U.S. Navy in Gunsan Port as a strategic bargaining chip.
According to reporting by Alpha Economy and multiple government sources familiar with the matter, the Yoon administration is responding to the Trump administration’s request by offering a plan to establish a U.S. naval MRO facility in Gunsan. This base would be capable of servicing destroyers, cruisers, submarines, and other naval vessels.
One senior official stated, “The Trump administration requested a West Sea port capable of hosting a U.S. Navy MRO base, and it was ultimately determined that Gunsan Port is the most viable location.”
The move is seen as part of a broader U.S. effort to revitalize its shipbuilding industry through enhanced cooperation with South Korea, especially in the naval MRO sector.
Recently, Hanwha Ocean secured back-to-back contracts to provide MRO services for three U.S. Navy vessels. Meanwhile, the U.S. Congress is currently reviewing a $20 billion defense budget for constructing and servicing combat and support ships.
Analysts believe the U.S. request for a West Sea MRO base stems from strategic objectives—specifically, to counter China’s growing military presence and to secure critical sea lanes in the South China Sea.
In this context, leveraging the proposed Gunsan MRO base in tariff talks is being hailed as a potentially game-changing strategy. President Lee Jae-myung has previously emphasized the development of Gunsan's special-purpose ship and MRO industries as part of his campaign pledges, including support for SMEs in the shipbuilding sector.
The MRO base project may also align with an ongoing plan by North Jeolla Province and Gunsan City to establish a Specialized Maritime Cluster around the 7th pier in Gunsan Port.
However, the prospect of hosting a U.S. Navy MRO facility in Gunsan is expected to draw strong opposition from China, which could view it as a geopolitical provocation.
Commenting on the project, Kang Kwan-woo, former Morgan Stanley executive and current CEO of The Premier, noted, “If the base is built, a dual-structure model is likely, where Korean firms like HD Hyundai handle the hull construction or repair, while the U.S. directly manages sensitive military systems. This structure enables faster and larger-scale naval maintenance operations.”
Alphabiz 김종효 기자(kei1000@alphabiz.co.kr)
