Jeong In-kyu, the head of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, said on the 2nd, 'I will do my utmost in consultations with the United States so that the next government can take over without any disruptions.'
On the same day, Deputy Minister Jeong presided over an 'urgent trade issue review meeting' at the Government Seoul Building and made this remark. The meeting included relevant departments such as the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Education, and the Office for Government Policy Coordination, which reviewed a government-wide response system.
The government held an emergency meeting to manage trade issues effectively. With major trade issues piling up, including responses to recent tariff measures by the United States, the resignation of former Prime Ministers Han Duck-soo and Choi Sang-mok has led to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Lee Joo-ho taking over presidential duties.
Deputy Minister Jeong emphasized, 'The government will conduct negotiations with the United States calmly and seriously under the principle of "national interest first," and will do everything possible to ensure that the next government can continue these negotiations without disruptions.'
He also noted, 'We are thoroughly preparing for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) trade ministers' meeting scheduled for the 15th and plan to manage trade issues stably and reliably.'