Urgent Visit to U.S. by Wi Sunglak: Discusses Tariffs and Summit with Secretary of State... U.S. Side Calls for Close Communication

US Side Says "There Is Time Until August 1"
National Security Advisor Wi Requests Early South Korea-US Summit... US Side Agrees
Consultations Held on South Korea-US Shipbuilding Cooperation... Both Sides to Closely Coordinate for Mutually Beneficial Measures
President Trump Sends Letter Imposing 25% Reciprocal Tariff on South Korean Imports

According to the Office of the President, National Security Advisor Wi Sunglak, who is currently visiting the United States, held consultations with U.S. Secretary of State and National Security Advisor Marco Rubio in Washington, D.C. on the 7th (local time). They engaged in in-depth discussions on ways to advance the South Korea-U.S. relationship, including high-level exchanges.

In a written briefing, the Office of the President stated, "During this consultation, our side emphasized the need for both countries to negotiate based on the spirit of alliance and to further strengthen the alliance in a broad framework, expressing hope for close cooperation between the national security advisors of South Korea and the United States." The office also conveyed, "In particular, our side expressed hope that a South Korea-U.S. summit would be held as soon as possible to make mutually beneficial progress on various pending issues."

The Office of the President continued, "In response, the U.S. side expressed its agreement and noted that, although a tariff letter was sent today to major countries including South Korea, there is still time until the actual imposition of tariffs on August 1. Therefore, both countries should maintain close communication to reach an agreement before then."

The Office of the President further reported, "Our side emphasized that the pragmatic diplomacy of our new government is based on a solid South Korea-U.S. alliance. Both sides agreed to continue working closely together so that the alliance, which has a history of over 70 years, can become even stronger amid changing security environments."

Consultations were also held regarding South Korea-U.S. cooperation in the shipbuilding sector. The Office of the President stated, "Both sides agreed that consolidating the capabilities of government, industry, and other sectors is key to deriving practical and mutually beneficial cooperation measures in this field, and will coordinate closely going forward." The office added, "Both sides acknowledged the usefulness of consultations between the national security advisors of South Korea and the United States and agreed to continue close communication on current issues and the future direction of the alliance."

Earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump sent a so-called "tariff letter" announcing that, starting August 1, a 25% reciprocal tariff would be imposed on all imports from South Korea. Japan also received notice of a 25% tariff, the same as South Korea. President Trump has thus targeted the two allies first, increasing the level of pressure. The South Korean government now faces the critical task of securing the maximum possible tariff reduction through active negotiations with the U.S. during the remaining three-week grace period.

President Trump stated that these new reciprocal tariffs would be applied separately from existing item-specific tariffs. Currently, the U.S. imposes item-specific tariffs of 25% on imported automobiles and auto parts, and 50% on steel and aluminum. The new reciprocal tariffs will not be added on top of these item-specific tariffs. President Trump also said that high tariffs would be imposed on goods transshipped through third countries.

However, he also indicated the possibility of tariff adjustments, provided that trade barriers are eased. President Trump said, "If there is a desire for market opening, removal of tariff, non-tariff, policy, and trade barriers, we will consider adjusting the contents of the letter," and added that "tariffs may be raised or lowered depending on the level of South Korea's response." The White House confirmed that President Trump is also scheduled to sign an executive order extending the reciprocal tariff grace period from the 8th to August 1.

Meanwhile, at 1:30 p.m. today, the Office of the President will hold a meeting chaired by Policy Chief Kim Yongbum to discuss countermeasures on South Korea-U.S. trade issues. Attendees will include the Chief of Economic Growth, the Third Deputy National Security Advisor, and the Secretary for Industrial Policy, as well as the Chief of the Office for Government Policy Coordination, and vice ministers from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, the Ministry of Economy and Finance, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.