Lee: "As a representative of 52 million... Approach the negotiations with confidence"

Video Conference with the U.S. Negotiation Delegation

President Lee Jae-myung received a status report on July 30 from the negotiation team currently visiting the United States and Japan, just two days ahead of the deadline for U.S. tariff negotiations (August 1). President Lee urged the delegation to approach the talks with confidence. While the physical timeline for negotiations is tight, the intention seems to be to prioritize national interests above all else.

According to the Presidential Office, President Lee received updates on the progress of tariff negotiations from Koo Yoon-chul, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance; Kim Jung-kwan, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy; Yeo Han-gu, Deputy Minister for Trade; and Cho Hyun, Minister of Foreign Affairs, all of whom are currently visiting the United States and Japan. The briefing was conducted via videoconference using a separate diplomatic network. Attending at the Presidential Office were Kang Hoon-sik, Chief Presidential Secretary; Wi Sung-rak, National Security Advisor; and Kim Yong-bum, Chief Presidential Policy Secretary.

Kang Yoo-jung, Presidential Spokesperson, explained, "This meeting was arranged to enable real-time communication and efficient decision-making regarding the fast-moving trade discussions with the United States." Kang further stated, "The President listened to updates on the negotiations' progress and discussed response strategies together with the participants."

President Lee encouraged the delegation, saying, "I understand these negotiations are challenging, but since you are there as representatives of our 52 million people, I ask you to engage with confidence." Kang added, "The government, while maintaining the principle of prioritizing national interests, is preparing a negotiation package focused on areas where mutually beneficial outcomes with the United States can be achieved within acceptable limits and is currently discussing this with the United States."

This is the first time President Lee's specific remarks regarding the Korea-U.S. tariff negotiations have been made public. While the President has previously received private briefings from ministers and aides, the Presidential Office had not commented on his statements until now. Responding to President Lee's comments on the negotiations made public on this day, officials from the Presidential Office refrained from additional interpretations, saying, "Please take the remarks as they are." Some in the ruling party analyzed that the President may have emphasized the importance of not letting the negotiation team become intimidated amid continued pressure from the United States.

Han Jae-young, reporter jyhan@hankyung.com