Presidential Office: U.S. Shows Strong Interest in Shipbuilding at Korea-U.S. Commerce Ministers' Meeting

Presidential Office Holds Emergency Meeting on Trade Issues for Second Consecutive Day
Minister Kim Jeonggwan and Chief Trade Negotiator Yeo Hankoo Also Participate via Video Conference
Next Week, Deputy Prime Minister Koo Yooncheol and Minister Cho Hyun to Meet with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Besant and Secretary of State Marco Rubio

Chief Policy Officer Kim Yongbeom and Chief Security Officer Wi Sung-rak held an emergency meeting on trade issues on the afternoon of July 26, reviewing the current status of trade negotiations with the United States and discussing response plans, according to the Presidential Office.

Yonhap News Agency

The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Koo Yooncheol, Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Hyun, Chief of Government Policy Coordination Office Yoon Changryeol, First Vice Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Moon Sinhak, as well as key aides from the Presidential Office, including Chief Economic Growth Advisor Ha Junkyung and Third Deputy Director of the National Security Office Oh Hyunju.

Notably, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Kim Jeonggwan and Chief Trade Negotiator Yeo Hankoo, who are currently in the United States conducting trade negotiations, participated in the meeting via video conference.

During the meeting, Minister Kim Jeonggwan reported on the outcome of his talks with U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick. The Presidential Office stated, "Our government has confirmed the high level of interest from the U.S. side in the shipbuilding sector, and both countries have agreed to work toward mutually acceptable solutions, including cooperation in shipbuilding."

The Presidential Office explained, "Since Deputy Prime Minister Koo Yooncheol and Minister Cho Hyun are each scheduled to meet with Secretary of the Treasury Scott Besant and Secretary of State Marco Rubio next week, the government will make every effort to conclude trade negotiations with the United States by August 1."