South Korea Acting President "Korea-US Video Conference on Alaska LNG Expected Within a Day or Two"

Presiding Over the Economic Security Strategy TF...
"If Necessary, Direct Communication With Trump"
"Trump Appears to Have Ordered 'Immediate Tariff Negotiations' With Korea, Japan, and India"

Acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo is holding an Economic Security Strategy Task Force meeting at the Seoul official residence on the 14th. Photo by Yonhap News

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, Acting President of the Republic of Korea, stated on the 14th regarding negotiations with the United States following the U.S. mutual tariff suspension, "It seems that U.S. President Donald Trump instructed to 'immediately proceed with negotiations' with three countries including Korea, Japan, and India."

Acting Prime Minister Han presided over the Economic Security Strategy TF meeting at the Prime Minister’s Seoul Residence in Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, and said, "We have been jointly assessing the current situation in the U.S. through public-private cooperation and have thoroughly explained to President Trump our position on how and at which points to proceed with negotiations. President Trump was also very satisfied," he added.

Han explained, "Within a day or two, a video conference between Korea and the U.S. regarding Alaska liquefied natural gas (LNG) is expected," and added, "Korea and the U.S. are establishing a negotiation system in all fields and seem to be starting negotiations soon to derive concrete details."

He continued, "Last weekend, a policy was announced to readjust the mutual tariff exemptions on smartphones and computers, which constitute a large part of our exports," and mentioned, "I believe President Trump also agreed with Korea’s sincere intention to proceed with mutually beneficial negotiations with the U.S. going forward."

Acting Prime Minister Han stated, "Korea has decided to strengthen cooperation with the U.S. in three major areas: shipbuilding, LNG, and trade balance," and emphasized, "Since a favorable momentum for continued discussions between the two countries has been formed, we will prioritize bilateral trade negotiations and make every effort to minimize the burden caused by tariffs."

Furthermore, he added, "Considering mutual interests beyond tariffs, such as strengthening cooperation in LNG and shipbuilding, we will continue consultations at various levels, including ministerial talks, to find mutually beneficial agreements," and said, "If necessary, we will also strive to resolve issues through direct communication with President Trump."

Attending the meeting alongside Acting Prime Minister Han were government officials including Choi Sang-mok, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance; Bang Ki-sun, Director of the Office for Government Policy Coordination; Shin Won-sik, Director of the National Security Office; Park Sung-taek, 1st Vice Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy; Kang In-sun, 2nd Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs; Sung Tae-yoon, Policy Chief of the Presidential Secretariat; and Jung In-kyo, Chief Negotiator for Trade.

From the private sector, Yoon Chang-ryul, Director of LG Global Strategy Development Institute; Kim Won-kyung, President of Samsung Electronics; Park Il-jun, Vice Chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Lee Hyung-hee, Chair of Communications at SK Supex Council; and Kim Dong-wook, Vice President of Hyundai Motor Company participated.