Foreign Minister Cho Hyun, who is visiting the United States, said she explained to the U.S. side that Korea is not intentionally delaying legislation on the special bill for investment in the United States. This had earlier been cited as a background for the Donald Trump administration's push to reimpose a tariff on Korea.
On the 5th (local time), Minister Cho said at a meeting held at the Embassy of Korea in Washington, D.C., that on the 3rd, the first day of her arrival in the United States, she sought understanding on this from U.S. Secretary of State and White House national security adviser Marco Rubio.
Minister Rubio was said to have remarked just before the start of the talks, "It is not that the South Korea–U.S. relationship is in bad shape," but added, "I will be candid in sharing that the internal mood is not good regarding the fulfillment of trade-related pledges."
Minister Cho said, "Minister Rubio made clear that trade and investment are not in his own portfolio, but said he is conveying this to me because he oversees the overall South Korea–U.S. relationship," adding, "In response, I explained that our government's will to implement the (South Korea–U.S. agreements) is firm, and it is completely untrue that we are deliberately slowing the pace of handling the bills or anything of the sort."
She also told Minister Rubio, "The joint fact sheet produced as a result of the summit was conceived from the consultation stage as two pillars—economy and security," and emphasized, "Because there can be differences in pace depending on the issue during implementation, cooperation in other fields should not be hindered by trade issues."
In addition, Minister Cho said, "Please encourage the relevant ministries so that the three key South Korea–U.S. cooperative agreements—nuclear energy, nuclear-powered submarines, and shipbuilding—are faithfully consulted," and said that Minister Rubio stated, "The United States also does not want delays in implementing the agreements," adding, "Given the nature and procedures of the joint fact sheet, the State Department and the White House National Security Council (NSC) have no choice but to take the lead, so we will look after it closely."
Meanwhile, Minister Cho said she also met U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer at a U.S.-led ministerial meeting on critical minerals held the previous day at the State Department building to exchange views on the situation.
Greer emphasized that "Korea must promptly show a more advanced position not only on strategic investment in the United States but also on issues related to non-tariff barriers."