South Korea's energy minister said the 800-mile gas pipeline could help diversify the sources of natural gas and that the country would hold talks with the US to move the project forward.

South Korean Energy Minister Ahn Duk-geun has agreed to hold talks with the United States over constructing a gas pipeline from his country to the US state of Alaska. This comes after US President Donald Trump's address to Congress in which he announced plans for a "gigantic natural gas pipeline" that would generate "trillions of dollars" for both countries. Last month, Ahn traveled to Washington, DC, in a bid to find exemptions from Trump's proposed new tariffs.

"We will actively engage in discussions with the United States moving forward as it is a matter of mutual interest of the two countries," a South Korean Industry Ministry spokesperson said after Trump's speech.

Representatives from both countries said such a pipeline could prove beneficial to South Korea and the United States: Ahn aims to make "diversifying import sources a key part of energy security." White House Energy Dominance Council co-chair Doug Burgum said he believes the project would help "raise money for the US Treasury."

A massive undertaking

A pipeline connecting Alaska to South Korea would be roughly 800 miles (1,288 kilometers) long. Trump mentioned in his address that Japan would also be involved in the deal.

While Japanese officials have not yet agreed to join official discussions, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba stated the project would "meet the national interests" of both countries. Japan's trade minister, Yoji Muto, is set to visit Washington this month, following in Ahn's footsteps, to attempt to carve out exemptions from future American tariffs.

Edited by: Sean Sinico

Author: Nicholas Counter (with AFP, Reuters)