“钱都给美国了，韩国制造业空心化怎么办？”

Core Viewpoint - The recent trade agreement between South Korea and the United States involves a commitment of $350 billion in investments, with South Korea agreeing to invest $200 billion in cash and $150 billion in shipbuilding cooperation, raising concerns about potential domestic investment decline and manufacturing hollowing out in South Korea [1][6]. Investment Commitments - South Korea will invest $200 billion in cash over several years, with an annual cap of $20 billion [1][6]. - The remaining $150 billion will be allocated for shipbuilding cooperation, including guarantees, investments by South Korean companies, and ship financing [1]. Economic Concerns - Economic experts express concerns that the significant outflow of capital to the U.S. could diminish South Korea's domestic investment capacity, leading to risks of manufacturing hollowing out and negative impacts on local economies and employment [1][4]. - The investment in the U.S. is viewed as fundamentally different from investments in China, as it aims to enter local markets under high tariff conditions, reducing the potential for domestic investment complementarity [1]. Manufacturing Sector Insights - In 2022, South Korea's top ten manufacturing sectors had a total investment of 114 trillion KRW (approximately 566.5 billion RMB), accounting for 4% of the country's GDP and 42% of all industry equipment investments [1]. - The investment in the top ten manufacturing sectors is projected to reach 119 trillion KRW (approximately 591.4 billion RMB) in 2023, reflecting a 7% growth [2]. Regional Economic Impact - Analysts warn that reduced domestic investment and a shift of manufacturing infrastructure to the U.S. could lead to economic downturns in regions reliant on manufacturing, resulting in job losses and negative effects on small businesses [4][5]. - A report estimates that if the U.S. imposes a 15% tariff on South Korean goods, the annual export value from Gyeongsangnam-do to the U.S. could decrease by approximately 499 billion KRW (around 2.5 billion RMB) [5]. Government Measures and Recommendations - The South Korean government is implementing multiple safeguards in the investment plan to limit financial risks and protect the foreign exchange market, ensuring that only commercially viable projects receive funding [6]. - Experts suggest that South Korea should attract foreign investments and enhance the competitiveness of its service sector to mitigate the impacts of increased investments in the U.S. [6]. Public Sentiment - A recent poll indicates that 80.1% of South Koreans view the $350 billion investment demand from the U.S. as unfair, with only 12.4% considering it acceptable [7].