Former U.S. Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich (right) and President Donald Trump. [AP=Yonhap News] 

As expectations for enhanced cooperation in the shipbuilding industry between South Korea and the United States grow, a senior U.S. figure has raised concerns that the significance of this progress is being undermined by political instability in Korea.

Newt Gingrich, a prominent figure in the U.S. Republican Party and former Speaker of the House, posted on his X (formerly Twitter) account on the 2nd (local time), strongly warning that "the progress made in U.S.-Korea talks regarding shipbuilding investments is being overshadowed by 'shocking political raids' taking place in Korea."

Former Speaker Gingrich wrote, "South Korea builds 35% of the world’s commercial ships and is ranked second globally behind China," adding, "I have long argued that South Korea’s advanced shipbuilding technology could help reform outdated U.S. shipyards."

He continued, "Lee (Jae-myung)'s visit to Washington delivered very welcome news," stating that "South Korea’s multibillion-dollar investments will contribute to the modernization of U.S. shipyards and the rebuilding of the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard."

A screenshot of Newt Gingrich’s X post. However, he directly criticized the situation, stating, "The progress of the U.S.-Korea talks is being overshadowed by shocking political raids occurring in Korea," and attached a link to an op-ed he published in a U.S. daily newspaper on the 27th of last month.

Previously, two days after the bilateral working-level talks, Gingrich had fiercely criticized the search and seizure of a U.S. military base in Korea in an op-ed for the Washington Times on the 27th.

He revealed, "Because Korea arrogantly raided a U.S. military base without notifying or coordinating with the U.S., Secretary of State and National Security Advisor Marco Rubio abruptly canceled his scheduled meeting with Director Wi Sung-lac, as well as meetings between U.S.-Korea trade negotiation delegations."