In CNN Interview:
"We Must Negotiate Calmly"
Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, Acting President of the Republic of Korea, stated on the 8th that regarding the U.S. tariff measures, "We will negotiate rather than confront."
Acting President Han held an interview with the American media outlet CNN at the Government Seoul Office in the afternoon and said, "(South Korea) clearly intends to negotiate with the United States. The Korea-U.S. alliance is a strong alliance."
When asked whether South Korea would respond to the U.S. in the same way as China or Japan, Acting President Han replied, "We will not choose that path." Regarding the recent Korea-Japan-China economic and trade ministers' meeting, he said, "I do not believe that such fighting back will dramatically improve the situation," adding, "(Fighting back) will not truly benefit the three countries, especially South Korea."
He went on to describe the 25% reciprocal tariffs imposed by the U.S. on South Korea as "a pity," and said, "Not everything can be resolved in a day or two." The Prime Minister's Office conveyed that Acting President Han expressed an optimistic view that the two countries could reach an agreement before companies suffer damage.
Acting President Han explained, "We need to calmly assess what the 25% tariff means to us and negotiate calmly," and said that he dispatched the head of the Trade Negotiation Headquarters to the U.S. urgently.
He also pointed out, "As seen in game theory, individual players acting independently do not help improve the situation," and emphasized, "We must communicate, cooperate, work together, and strive to find a win-win situation."
Regarding recent remarks by Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong that the international situation is facing a 'significant change' and that the world is entering "a more unilateral, protectionist, and dangerous new phase," Acting President Han said, "I am more optimistic," and stated, "Globalization is not over. Globalization can never end."
About the Korea-Japan-China economic and trade ministers' meeting, Acting President Han said, "It was not an extraordinary meeting but a routine one," and added that the three countries have held similar ministerial-level meetings. He continued, "Some may wonder what such meetings imply, but it is not an alliance for retaliation, and (retaliation that invites retaliation) can shrink global trade."
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