The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy has launched a Task Force for negotiations with the United States to establish a comprehensive response system within the ministry, covering industrial and energy cooperation. Additionally, a public hearing will be held on the 30th of this month to gather public opinion in accordance with the Trade Agreement Act.
According to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy on the 16th, the Task Force for negotiations with the United States, led by Deputy Minister Yeohan-gu, officially launched at 3 p.m. that day. This task force was established in line with the new government's launch to derive practical results centered on national interests and to build a comprehensive response system within the ministry that covers both tariff and non-tariff barriers as well as industrial and energy cooperation in the negotiation process with the United States.
Deputy Minister Ye will serve as the Director General of the Task Force, overseeing the preparation of the overall negotiation package with the United States, including industrial and energy sectors. The chief negotiator for technical negotiations with the United States will be Park Jeong-seong, the Director of the Trade Investment Bureau, who has been elevated to a first-class position.
Four task groups have been formed under the Task Force, each led by a Director General-level official. The negotiation support group will be headed by Kwon Hye-jin, the Free Trade Agreement Negotiator, while the industrial cooperation group will be led by Park Dong-il, the Director of Manufacturing Industry Policy. The energy cooperation group will be managed by Yoon Chang-hyun, the Director-General of the Resources Industry Policy Bureau, and the trade investment response group will be led by Yoo Beop-min, the Investment Policy Director.
Deputy Minister Ye noted, "Companies and citizens are facing significant difficulties due to U.S. tariff measures," and added, "We will unite the relevant ministries and the public and private sectors to do our utmost to achieve successful negotiation results."
Meanwhile, as negotiations on tariff measures with the United States intensify, the government will also begin to implement the procedures under the Trade Agreement Act. According to the Trade Agreement Act, the Minister must hold a public hearing to collect public opinion before establishing a plan for the conclusion of trade agreements and must also review economic feasibility. Additionally, during the negotiation process, the opinions of the National Assembly must be collected and incorporated.
Accordingly, the government has decided to hold a public hearing on the tariff measures between South Korea and the United States at the Post Tower in Jung-gu, Seoul, at 10 a.m. on the 30th of this month. Organizations, associations, corporations, and individuals can submit their opinions related to the U.S.-Korea tariff negotiations from this day until the day of the public hearing. If they wish to attend, they must apply in advance by the 25th of this month.