The Democratic Party of Korea, the government, and the presidential office on the 22nd held a review meeting to prepare countermeasures after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the Donald Trump administration's reciprocal tariff imposition was unlawful. The party, government, and presidential office formed a consensus that swift legislation of the Special Act on Investment in the United States is best for the national interest.
At 8 p.m. that day, the party, government, and presidential office held a closed-door meeting at the Financial Training Institute in Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, to review trade issues related to tariffs. Moon Geum-ju, floor spokesperson of the Democratic Party of Korea, said in a written briefing, "The party, government, and presidential office agreed that swift legislation of the Special Act on Investment in the United States is best for our national interest, and will do their utmost to ensure it is handled by Mar. 9 as agreed by the ruling and opposition parties."
It was reported that participants shared concerns that the U.S. side may respond by invoking Section 301 of the Trade Act and other measures, and reached a consensus to refrain from any hasty response. Section 301 of the Trade Act allows the president, after a certain period of notice and public comment, to take retaliatory measures such as tariffs against trading partners that engage in unfair and discriminatory trade practices toward the United States.
The meeting was presided over by Presidential Policy Deputy Minister Kim Yong-beom and Office of National Security Chief Wi Sung-lac. From the Democratic Party of Korea, Floor Leader Han Byung-do, Policy Committee Chair Han Jeong-ae, and Ruling Party Secretary of the Special Committee on the Special Act on Investment in the United States Jeong Tae-ho attended. From the government, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Koo Yun-cheol, Minister of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources Kim Jung-kwan, Office of the Minister for Trade head Yeo Han-koo, and First Vice Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Park Yoon-joo were present. From the presidential office, in addition to Kim and Wi, Senior Presidential Secretary for Political Affairs Hong Ik-pyo and Industrial Policy Secretary Yoon Sung-hyeok attended.
At the meeting, participants shared the impact of the U.S. Supreme Court ruling, trends within the U.S. government, expected U.S. measures, and the status of investment projects in the United States, and also exchanged views on future countermeasures.