Presidential Office: "President Lee receives 24-hour reports on tariff negotiations… Orders a national interest-centered approach"

The deadline for the Korea-U.S. reciprocal tariff imposition announced by U.S. President Donald Trump is just five days away. The Presidential Office announced on the 27th that President Lee Jae-myung is engaging in negotiations with the U.S. government under the 'national interest-centered' principle as ordered by the President.

Kang Yoo-jung, spokesperson for the Presidential Office, responded to a question at the Yongsan Presidential Office in the afternoon regarding whether President Lee had issued any instructions or requests related to the Korea-U.S. trade negotiations: "The President’s message is to negotiate with the national interest at the forefront, to maximize the benefits for our country while considering various factors in the world’s complex and multifaceted situation."

She continued, "It is understood that we are negotiating under this message’s principle," and added, "You may consider it safe to say that the President is being briefed almost 24 hours a day, even on unofficial schedules."

Previously, the Presidential Office had held back-to-back trade countermeasure meetings on the 25th and 26th, attended by Policy Chief Kim Yong-beom, National Security Advisor Wi Sung-rak, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Koo Yoon-cheol, among others. Although President Lee did not attend these meetings, it is interpreted as meaning he has continuously received updates on the progress of the negotiations.

The reciprocal tariffs between Korea and the U.S. are set to be imposed at 25% starting August 1. The Korean government is currently negotiating to lower the tariff rate. Deputy Prime Minister Koo Yoon-cheol, Industry and Trade Minister Kim Jung-kwan, Foreign Minister Cho Hyun, and Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo are reportedly coordinating negotiations with U.S. financial, trade, and security leaders.

Jin Young-ki, Hankyung.com journalist young71@hankyung.com