Upon Arrival in Washington, Minister Kim Jung-kwan Says, "I Will Meet Lutnick on the 29th and Explain the Legislative Situation to Avoid Misunderstandings"

According to The Financial News, Kim Jung-kwan, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy, who urgently traveled to the United States of America (U.S.) after President Donald Trump announced he would restore 25% tariffs on South Korea, stated, "I am scheduled to meet United States Secretary of Commerce Howard William Lutnick on the afternoon of the 29th (local time)," adding, "I plan to have an open conversation on any issue."
Kim, who had been on a business trip to Canada, arrived at Washington Dulles International Airport near Washington, D.C. on the 28th after Trump declared on the 26th that he would raise item-specific tariffs on South Korean automobiles, lumber, pharmaceuticals and other products, as well as all reciprocal tariffs by country, from 15% to 25%.
Regarding Trump’s remarks about raising tariffs, Kim said, "From what I have heard, he is dissatisfied with the progress of our domestic legislative process. Trump also said as much, and after his comments on tariffs, I had one contact with Secretary Lutnick, and he shared that perception."
He went on, "I intend to explain our domestic legislative progress clearly so there is no misunderstanding, and to fully convey that the Korean government’s position on cooperation and investment with the U.S. has not changed."
On reports that the U.S. government has begun the process of publishing the relevant tariffs in the Federal Register after Trump’s comments on tariffs related to South Korea, Kim said, "I learned about it through domestic news and am assessing the current situation," adding, "When such talk emerges, it is only natural for working-level officials to begin preparations. That is the level at which I understand it, and I will confirm more specific details through consultations."
Asked when investments in the U.S. might actually begin, he replied, "There are aspects where not only legislation but also project-related details need to be addressed together, so I will consult closely with the U.S. government," and added, "Each investment project in the U.S. must be carefully reviewed in terms of our national interest and commercial viability, so we will scrutinize them thoroughly." He continued, "We will work so that, at a very appropriate time, these projects become ones that both countries can celebrate."
On complaints reportedly raised in the U.S. about South Korea’s digital regulations and the Coupang Inc. controversy, Kim said, "I do not believe those issues are significant enough to affect fundamental matters such as tariffs," adding, "Every country has such issues from time to time, and they can be managed properly."
He also stressed, "If the Coupang Inc. issue had occurred in the U.S., the U.S. government would likely have responded much more strongly than the Korean government," explaining, "The U.S. takes a very strong stance on consumer rights and interests, so if we explain the situation sufficiently, the U.S. government will understand."
During this visit to the U.S., Kim is also scheduled to meet, in addition to Secretary Lutnick, Christopher Allen Wright, U.S. Secretary of Energy, and Doug Burgum, Chairman of the National Energy Council, among other senior officials in the Trump administration.

aber@fnnews.com Reporter Park Ji-young Reporter