Jinseongjun "US Trump Mutual Tariffs Must Be Negotiated Quickly... New Government Is Important"

Democratic Party Policy Coordination Meeting on the 3rd
"Yoon Must Be Dismissed to Correct Diplomacy and Trade"
Opposition Pushes for Compensation for Losses from Martial Law Crisis

Regarding the Trump administration's announcement to impose a 25% reciprocal tariff on South Korea, Jin Seong-jun, the Policy Committee Chair of the Democratic Party of Korea, stated, "The government must activate high-level talks and all channels to swiftly conclude negotiations with the United States."

Jinseongjun, the Policy Committee Chairman of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the party floor strategy meeting held at the National Assembly on the 25th. 2025.2.25 Photo by Kim Hyunmin

At the Democratic Party policy coordination meeting held on the 3rd at the tent headquarters in Gwanghwamun, Seoul, Chair Jin said, "It seems the U.S. government has a misunderstanding." He added, "Many experts say that we do have negotiation cards to play," and further explained, "We should also consider utilizing the World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute resolution procedures or multilateral agreements such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)."

However, Chair Jin emphasized that the most certain way to rectify diplomatic and trade issues is the immediate dismissal of President Yoon Seok-yeol. He said, "The most reliable measure is to immediately remove uncertainty and have a normal government, not a rebel government, negotiate with the U.S.," adding, "An acting administration inevitably has limitations in handling critical trade issues."

He continued, "I have not heard any news that Han Duck-soo, the Acting President and Prime Minister, who refuses to meet with party leaders in the National Assembly but claims to focus on trade measures, has even had a single phone call with President Trump," and said, "It seems important to immediately dismiss Yoon Seok-yeol and have a new government quickly engage in trade negotiations with the U.S."

Meanwhile, on the same day, the Democratic Party announced plans to pursue compensation for small business owners affected by the martial law crisis to restore the livelihood crisis. Chair Jin stated, "We need a bold supplementary budget to stimulate the economy, not a makeshift measure," and added, "A 10 trillion won supplementary budget without detailed plans cannot revive the economy or people's livelihoods."

He further urged, "The government should stop shifting responsibility to the National Assembly by citing bipartisan agreement and promptly prepare and submit a genuine supplementary budget plan to revive domestic consumption and the real livelihood economy," emphasizing, "The supplementary budget must include a four-part consumption stimulation package and compensation for small business owners affected by the martial law crisis."