According to Yonhap News Agency, Hwang Ki-yeon, president of the Export-Import Bank of Korea, stated that for Korea Zinc, which plans to build a smelter in Tennessee, USA, the bank "is discussing a plan to provide support through the supply chain stabilization fund." On the 20th, Hwang Ki-yeon responded to a suggestion from a member of the National Assembly to actively consider supporting Korea Zinc, saying, "We have recently been negotiating on this matter." Korea Zinc is advancing the construction of the integrated smelter project, Project Crucible, located in Clarksville, Tennessee, USA. The project is scheduled to begin construction next year and aims to produce zinc, copper, gold, silver, as well as critical minerals such as gallium, germanium, indium, and antimony, which are used in semiconductors and advanced defense industries, starting in 2029. The total investment for the project is $7.4 billion. The U.S. government has already signed a strategic partnership and financing agreement with Korea Zinc, committing to provide a $4.7 billion loan for the project. At a Republican midterm election rally held in Clarksville on the 10th, former President Donald Trump praised his tariff policies for prompting Korea Zinc to invest over $6 billion and create 740 jobs.