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🇰🇷 South Korea /Economy & Trade

US affirmed commitment to tariff deal, Seoul envoy says

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • South Korea's top envoy to the US stated Washington has affirmed its commitment to the existing bilateral tariff agreement.
  • The ambassador addressed concerns over US lawmakers' criticism of Seoul's regulation of e-commerce giant Coupang, emphasizing a consensus to manage the issue stably.
  • Discussions also covered progress in bilateral cooperation on nuclear energy and nuclear-powered submarines, with plans for swift implementation of leader-level agreements.

South Korea's top envoy to the United States, Ambassador Kang Kyung-wha, asserted on Wednesday that Washington has repeatedly affirmed its commitment to the existing bilateral tariff agreement, pushing back against the possibility of additional tariffs.

We are emphasizing how the balance of interests between Korea and the US must be maintained in accordance with the existing tariff agreement between the two countries.

— Kang Kyung-whaAmbassador Kang Kyung-wha speaking with Korean correspondents about the bilateral tariff agreement.

Speaking with Korean correspondents at the Korean Embassy in Washington, Kang emphasized the need to maintain the balance of interests between Korea and the US according to the current tariff agreement. She vowed to "closely monitor the US' new tariff measures and consult closely with the US at all levels to minimize any negative impact."

We are emphasizing how the balance of interests between Korea and the US must be maintained in accordance with the existing tariff agreement between the two countries.

— Kang Kyung-whaAmbassador Kang Kyung-wha speaking with Korean correspondents about the bilateral tariff agreement.

The ambassador also addressed recent criticism from some US lawmakers regarding Seoul's regulatory treatment of the e-commerce company Coupang. Kang stated that there is a consensus that both sides should manage the situation stably to avoid straining Korea-US relations. The embassy plans to "continue to clearly and consistently explain our government’s position through ongoing consultations with the US." The South Korean government maintains that its regulations are domestic law enforcement and are applied without discrimination.

closely monitor the US' new tariff measures and consult closely with the US at all levels to minimize any negative impact.

— Kang Kyung-whaAmbassador Kang Kyung-wha vowing to manage potential negative impacts of US tariff measures.

Furthermore, Kang shared that bilateral cooperation in nuclear energy and nuclear-powered submarines has entered a significant implementation phase. She noted that a recent visit by a US Under Secretary of State provided an opportunity to establish a communication system for swift implementation of agreements and to produce tangible results in these sectors.

continue to clearly and consistently explain our government’s position through ongoing consultations with the US.

— Kang Kyung-whaAmbassador Kang Kyung-wha on explaining Seoul's position regarding Coupang regulations to the US.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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