Woo Sangho, Senior Presidential Secretary for Political Affairs, Briefs at the Presidential Office on July 28
Woo Sangho, Senior Secretary for Political Affairs, is giving a briefing related to the '21st Presidential National Appointment Ceremony' at the Yongsan Presidential Office on the 28th. Photo by Yonhap News
The Presidential Office announced that it is striving to minimize concessions on agricultural, livestock, and fisheries products in tariff negotiations with the United States. It also mentioned that discussions are underway regarding negotiations on increasing defense spending and purchasing weapons from the United States.
Woo Sangho, Senior Presidential Secretary for Political Affairs, stated at a briefing at the Yongsan Presidential Office on July 28, "It is true that the United States is exerting strong pressure in the tariff negotiations," and added, "It is also true that the United States is demanding expanded market access for agricultural, livestock, and fisheries products, but we are making efforts to minimize concessions in order to protect domestic industries as much as possible."
Kim Yongbeom, Senior Presidential Secretary for Policy, responded "It is included" when asked at a briefing on July 25 whether agricultural products were part of the negotiation items. Subsequently, lawmakers from the Democratic Party of Korea, who are members of the National Assembly's Agriculture, Food, Rural Affairs, Oceans and Fisheries Committee, expressed their opposition by stating, "Do not use agriculture as a bargaining chip in negotiations," and there was backlash even within the ruling bloc.
When asked whether negotiations are also taking place on increasing defense spending and purchasing U.S.-made weapons, Secretary Woo replied, "I understand that the issue is also included in the list of negotiation items," but added, "It is difficult to say at what level and to what extent negotiations are currently underway."
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