The Presidential Office stated that during the meeting between the Ministers of Commerce of Korea and the United States, the U.S. side showed a high interest in the shipbuilding sector on the 26th.
Kim Yong-beom, Policy Director, and Wi Sung-lak, Security Director, held an emergency meeting regarding trade issues that afternoon to review the status of U.S.-Korea trade negotiations and discuss response plans.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Ku Yun-chul, Minister of Foreign Affairs Jo Hyun, Minister of the Office for Government Policy Coordination, Yoon Chang-ryeol, and First Vice Minister of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, Moon Sin-hak, among other officials.
At the meeting, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Kim Jung-kwan reported on the results of his meeting with U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. The Korean government confirmed the U.S. side's high interest in the shipbuilding sector and agreed to discuss mutually agreeable solutions, including cooperation between the two countries, including shipbuilding.
The government is preparing for an all-out effort aimed at reaching a negotiation agreement by the 1st of next month. The Presidential Office noted that "next week, Deputy Prime Minister Ku Yun-chul and Minister Jo Hyun are scheduled to meet with U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, respectively."
On the 24th, Deputy Prime Minister Ku Yun-chul, who was set to depart for Washington, D.C., to meet with Secretary of the Treasury Bessent, ultimately did not leave Incheon International Airport. This was due to the U.S. side canceling the previously scheduled Korea-U.S. "2+2 (Finance and Commerce)" consultation, citing Secretary Bessent's "urgent schedule" as the reason.
On the 20th, Wi Sung-lak, who had gone to the United States, also returned without meeting Secretary of State Rubio. Wi Sung-lak visited the White House on the 21st to meet with Assistant Rubio, but he was delayed due to a lengthy meeting with President Trump. The next day, the U.S. side notified that "in-person consultations would be difficult," and Wi conducted discussions with Rubio by phone.
Some interpreted this as an "abnormal current" in negotiations, but the Presidential Office warned against broad interpretations. Wi noted, "There are some reports suggesting that an abnormal current has arisen in the negotiations between Korea and the U.S. or that it has been rejected, but negotiations are ongoing," and added, "There are various components being reflected in our package, and there are also additional elements to add."
The Korean and U.S. governments have confirmed the importance of mutual cooperation in strategic manufacturing sectors such as shipbuilding and semiconductors, and are working to specify cooperation measures. The 1st of next month is the deadline for the reciprocal tariff (25%) imposed by President Trump. The government is attempting a "package deal" in investment, purchasing, and security to reach an agreement on reducing tariffs before that date.
In the process of negotiations with the U.S., the government is emphasizing the importance of "manufacturing cooperation between the two countries," while also requesting reductions in tariffs by item, including automobiles, as well as reciprocal tariff reductions. Agricultural products are also included in the negotiation targets.