WASHINGTON — South Korea’s first plans to invest in the United States under a bilateral trade deal can be announced after a relevant law goes into effect in June, Seoul’s Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan said Wednesday. Kim made the remarks during a press availability upon arrival at an airport near Washington, as the two countries are discussing the investment plans in line with last year’s trade agreement that commits Seoul to investing $350 billion — with an annual cap of $20 billion — in the U.S. “As for specific (investment) projects, we may be able to discuss them after the law takes effect in June,” Kim said, referring to the investment law set to go into effect June 18. South Korea’s National Assembly passed the investment act in March to facilitate Korea’s investment in the U.S. The minister rejected claims that South Korea is lagging behind Japan in implementing its investment pledge to the U.S., as Tokyo has already announced its first investment projects under a deal with Washington that commits it to invest $550 billion in the U.S. “Just because specific projects are announ
