Announcement of a "Trade-Security Package Deal" Expected at South Korea-U.S. Summit During Gyeongju APEC
"National Interest Is the Top Priority"... Compromise Reached on Nuclear Agreement Revision
National Security Advisor Wi Sunglak stated that he is leaving open the possibility of announcing a so-called "Joint Fact Sheet" covering both trade and security during the South Korea-U.S. summit to be held on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Gyeongju. He pledged to do his utmost in the remaining negotiations. Regarding the progress of the talks, he explained that while agreements have been reached in security areas such as the nuclear cooperation agreement and increased defense spending during the first summit, the two sides have not been able to finalize a comprehensive document due to the unfinished tariff negotiations.
On the 26th, appearing on KBS Sunday Diagnosis, Advisor Wi was asked whether there was a possibility of reaching a deal on tariffs during the South Korea-U.S. summit to be held on the occasion of APEC. He replied, "Negotiations in the tariff area have narrowed the differences through intensive coordination, but major issues still remain." He added, "President Lee has given a strong directive for 'economic rationality' and 'national interest-centered negotiations.' The negotiation team is making every effort for the final adjustments in line with these instructions, but I cannot be certain whether an agreement will be reached at this summit." The second South Korea-U.S. summit between President Lee Jaemyung and U.S. President Donald Trump will take place on the 29th.
Regarding the possibility of a dramatic breakthrough through a "top-down" approach at this summit, Advisor Wi took a cautious stance. He said, "Summits are usually carefully prepared in advance, so the summit itself becomes the final touch. President Trump has a unique negotiating style, and our president also has a negotiator's disposition, but prefers to finalize matters through prior coordination. Let's wait and see if the summit serves as the final touch."
Nevertheless, he said that all possibilities remain open in the negotiations, including the announcement of a trade and security package deal in the form of a "Joint Fact Sheet," an announcement limited to the security package, or no announcement at all. Advisor Wi explained, "A fact sheet can be a unilateral document, or it can be a joint fact sheet, which is essentially an agreed-upon document. We have been working on documentation, and in the security area, most of the wording has been mutually agreed upon."
He continued, "We have not been able to reach a common document in the tariff area yet, but if that is achieved, everything else will fall into place. I can say that we are working on the documentation, but I am not sure whether the tariff section will be completed. We will have to wait and see whether the security section, which has already been documented, will be made public."
He also reported that a compromise has been reached on the revision of the nuclear cooperation agreement, which was one of the key security agenda items. Advisor Wi said, "During the first South Korea-U.S. summit, the security package was largely agreed upon." Regarding the expansion of uranium enrichment rights, he added, "We are receiving positive feedback. We are using Japan, which holds both rights, as our model. We are asking the United States to allow us the same rights as Japan, or at least similar ones."
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