Cho Hyun, Minister of Foreign Affairs: "Tariff Negotiations Are Not Zero-Sum".. Coordinating Visit to the U.S.

[Financial News] Cho Hyun, Minister of Foreign Affairs, evaluated that the Korea-U.S. tariff negotiations are not a 'zero-sum' where only one side loses. He also mentioned that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will play a role in making it a negotiation for mutual benefit.
Minister Cho met with reporters on the morning of the 21st and said, "Tariff negotiations are often thought of as 'zero-sum'," adding, "However, based on my experience with negotiations, it always results in 'Non Zero Sum'. I believe the Ministry of Foreign Affairs can do that," he emphasized. 'Non Zero Sum' refers to an environment where both sides can win-win. It is a different concept from 'zero-sum', where one side's gain is the other's loss. Minister Cho also announced that he is coordinating a visit to the U.S. for trade negotiation support between Korea and the U.S.
Regarding the visit to the U.S., he stated, "We are consulting with the U.S. side on the most appropriate timing comprehensively." Minister Cho previously stated at a personnel hearing on the 17th that "the Korea-U.S. tariff negotiations could be concluded within two weeks," and announced that he would immediately pursue a visit to the U.S. after taking office. The deadline for the Korea-U.S. tariff negotiations proposed by President Donald Trump is until the end of this month, leaving less than two weeks.
Minister Cho stated, "In this period of heightened geopolitical instability and tension, establishing peace on the Korean Peninsula is the top priority," and suggested, "To achieve this, we must ease tensions on the Korean Peninsula and create a path for dialogue with North Korea under close cooperation between Korea and the U.S." He further added, "Through a phased, practical approach, we must achieve substantial progress in resolving the Korean Peninsula peace and North Korean nuclear issues," and "We must not neglect diplomatic diversification while developing relations with major neighboring countries."
At the inauguration ceremony held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building, Minister Cho also criticized the "diplomatic disaster" of the Yoon Suk-yeol government. He criticized the Yoon administration's diplomacy, saying, "Despite the slim chances of success in the Busan Expo hosting competition, they went 'all-in' until the end." He also publicly apologized for the so-called 'Biden Nalrimyeon' lawsuit against broadcasters by the Yoon administration.
Minister Cho emphasized, "I will definitely change the organizational culture and work practices to prevent such incidents from recurring."


rainman@fnnews.com Kim Kyung-soo Reporter