Alaskan state officials, led by Gov. Mike Dunleavy, visited South Korea on Tuesday to discuss energy cooperation and promote a stalled gas pipeline project.

The delegation, which included representatives from the Glanfarne Group, a project partner, and the state gas agency, aimed to garner interest from U.S. allies in Asia.

The American Chamber of Commerce in Korea (AMCHAM) confirmed the delegation's visit.

Dunleavy met with South Korean Industry Minister Ahn Duk-geun, where they discussed energy collaboration, focusing on the Alaska liquefied natural gas (LNG) project and other trade matters, according to a ministry statement. 

However, the statement did not provide specifics on the project’s elements that were discussed.

Earlier in the day, Dunleavy met with Gyeonggi Province Gov. Kim Dong-yeon. Kim, whose province surrounds Seoul, acknowledged Alaska’s significance in the global energy landscape and expressed hope for mutually beneficial cooperation between Alaska and South Korea.

South Korea, a major LNG consumer, ranks as the world’s third-largest buyer, behind China and Japan, and houses a substantial petrochemical industry.

Dunleavy emphasized the importance of the project, stating it would benefit all involved parties without compromising national interests. The 1,300-kilometer (800-mile) pipeline project, valued at $44 billion, aims to transport gas from Alaska's remote north.

South Korea previously indicated its willingness to engage in discussions regarding the pipeline.

South Korea, a major exporter of steel, automobiles, and electric vehicle batteries to the United States, has been preparing for potential U.S. tariff actions. A recent Whitehouse directive requested plans for reciprocal tariffs on countries, including S. Korea, by early April. 

Claims of South Korea's average tariffs being four times higher than U.S. rates have been disputed by Seoul, which maintains an effective tariff rate of 0.79% on U.S. imports, as stipulated by a 2007 free trade agreement.