SEOUL: South Korea’s acting President Han Duck-soo said during a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday ( Apr 22 ) that he expects trade talks this week with the United States to pave the way toward a mutually beneficial solution.
Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok and Industry Minister Ahn Duk-geun will attend a joint meeting with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on Apr 24 in Washington at 8am ( 7am, Singapore time ).
The meeting was scheduled at the demand of the US, Han said.
Choi told reporters at Seoul’s aircraft back of his withdrawal on Tuesday that he aimed to come back after “opening the entry” to conversations that would enhance the alliance between South Korea and the US.
The economy minister is due to depart on Wednesday.
The plan for the trade talks is “being coordinated with the US and has not been confirmed”, the economy ministry said in a speech.
The reply was in response to a story on Monday by South Korea’s Maeil Business news that reported the plan for the discussions included conversations on Seoul joining US efforts to suppress trade with China, without citing a clear cause.
China on Monday accused Washington of attacking taxes and warned countries against striking a broader financial deal with the US at its price.
US President Donald Trump has previously said military cost-sharing over the US troop presence in South Korea may be part of “one-stop buying” conversations with Seoul and Han said on Monday that the consultation process with the US “may never been easy”.
South Korean officials have said cooperation on shipbuilding is a “very important card” the country holds, while participation in an Alaska gas project could be part of a negotiation package, but defence costs were not up for negotiations.