The government delegation for the U.S.-Korea trade working-level consultation, led by Director General Jang Seong-gil of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, is set to depart for the United States as early as the 30th.
A Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy official said in a call with ChosunBiz on the 29th, "We are currently coordinating the schedule for the working-level consultation between the U.S. and Korea," adding, "We expect to depart for the United States tomorrow (the 30th)."
Following the '2+2 trade consultation' on the 24th (local time), this working-level consultation does not directly address trade issues. It is a forum to discuss what types of meetings the two countries will establish and what areas will be covered.
A senior official from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy explained, "We will set the framework for future discussions on how to create 6 or 7 working groups for the three areas of trade consultation (tariff, non-tariff, economic security, investment cooperation), and who will be included in each working group."
The schedule for the working-level consultation is expected to be determined according to the U.S. timeline. Currently, the U.S. is prioritizing negotiations with five countries, including Japan, India, Australia, and the United Kingdom. Due to the need to conduct consultations simultaneously, it is reported that creating a timetable is a more challenging situation for us than for them.
The delegation is expected to be organized on a small scale. A Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy official added that a working-level delegation of up to five people, including Director General Jang and Deputy Director Han Hong-sang, who is in charge of U.S. trade, will visit the U.S.