Kim Yongbeom After Returning from the US: "Tariff Negotiation Issues Still at Odds, APEC Agreement a Long Way Off"

Kim Yongbeom, Chief of Policy Office, and Kim Jeonggwan, Minister of Trade, Return to Korea
"If We Hope for an Agreement at APEC, There Is Still a Long Way to Go"

Kim Yongbeom, Chief of Policy Office at the Presidential Office (left), and Kim Jeonggwan, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy, are returning to Korea through Incheon International Airport on the 24th after completing additional discussions on Korea-US tariff negotiations. Photo by Yonhap News

Kim Yongbeom, Chief of Policy Office, stated on the 24th, "There has been some progress on certain issues in the Korea-US tariff negotiations," but added, "The two countries remain firmly at odds over the core issues, and this situation continues."

Kim made these remarks while speaking to reporters at Incheon International Airport upon his arrival. He had visited Washington, D.C. on the 22nd with Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Kim Jeonggwan for follow-up discussions on the tariff negotiations before returning to Korea.

When asked whether the negotiations are expected to be concluded on the occasion of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, Kim replied, "There is no additional time for face-to-face negotiations and APEC is just around the corner," adding, "The day is drawing to a close, and if we hope for an agreement at APEC, there is still a long way to go."

Kim also commented on the state of the negotiations, saying, "In the end, both sides are standing firm on one or two of the most important issues," and added, "This is also a typical aspect of negotiations."

However, Kim emphasized, "Negotiations can sometimes make rapid progress at the last minute, so we will do our best until the end."

Minister Kim Jeonggwan explained, "There are still some parts that are ongoing," and added, "A few issues remain, and we are at a very critical moment."