Kim Byungki: "Two Weeks Left Until Korea-U.S. Mutual Tariff Exemption Ends... Will Actively Support Government's Pragmatic Diplomacy"

Kim Byungki: "We Will Fully Support the Government's Pragmatic Diplomacy Focused on National Interest"
"U.S. Demands Market Opening for Rice and Beef... The Lee Jaemyung Administration Must Prioritize the Livelihoods of the People"
"End of the Era of Unilateral Concessions... Korea-U.S. Negotiations Should Aim for Mutual Benefit"

Kim Byungki, Acting Party Leader and Floor Leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, stated, "The expiration of the mutual tariff exemption period between South Korea and the United States is now just two weeks away," adding, "We will actively support the government's pragmatic diplomacy centered on the national interest."

Kim Byungki, Acting Party Leader and Floor Leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the Policy Coordination Meeting held at the National Assembly on July 17, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

At the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly in Yeouido on July 17, Kim said, "Our diplomacy is currently treading a path that no one has experienced before," and delivered this message.

Kim noted, "It is known that the United States is demanding market opening measures such as the easing of import restrictions on rice and beef, as well as the approval of genetically modified crop imports," and emphasized, "The Lee Jaemyung administration must do its utmost to protect the national interest and the livelihoods of the people, based on the principle of putting the national interest first."

He continued, "The era of making unilateral concessions based on the principles of power and alliances, as in the past, is over," and added, "Korea-U.S. negotiations must be conducted strictly with the goal of mutual benefit and enhancing interests."

Kim stated, "We have two goals: first, to achieve tariff reductions for key industries such as automobiles and semiconductors; and second, to protect farmers' right to survival, food sovereignty, and public health."

He went on to say, "We know this is a difficult task, but the Lee Jaemyung administration, as a government of popular sovereignty, is capable," and urged, "Just as our history of overcoming national crises has shown, trust in our people and approach the negotiations with confidence and principle."

He stressed, "While it may be impossible to achieve results that satisfy everyone 100%, I believe we can produce outcomes that benefit all our people," and added, "The Democratic Party will do everything in its power to support the government's efforts to protect the national interest and the livelihoods of the people."