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Trump says Aug. 1 tariff negotiation deadline won't be extended
US President Donald Trump said Wednesday this week's deadline for making trade deals with countries will not be extended, as South Korea and other countries are striving to reach a tariff agreement with the United States before the deadline. His remarks in a social media post came as his administration's "reciprocal" tariffs, including 25 percent duties on South Korea, are set to go into force on Friday unless a deal is struck. "THE AUGUST FIRST DEADLINE IS THE AUGUST FIRST DEADLINE — IT STANDS
July 30, 2025 -
N. Korean assembly chief claims US, S. Korea preparing to 'actualize' nuclear war
The head of North Korea's legislative body on Wednesday accused the United States and South Korea of preparing to "actualize" a nuclear war, insisting that its nuclear development is a self-defense measure vital to ensuring its security against such threats. Pak In-chol, chairman of the North's Supreme People's Assembly, made such a claim during a United Nations-led gathering of top legislators around the world in Switzerland, blaming the US and other Western countries for causing "instability a
July 30, 2025 -
Special envoys reaffirm S. Korea's drive for stronger ties with Australia
A presidential delegation to Australia has met with top officials in Canberra and reaffirmed South Korea's efforts to advancing bilateral relations under the Lee Jae Myung government, Seoul's foreign ministry said Wednesday. The special envoys, led by former National Assembly Speaker Kim Jin-pyo, delivered Lee's message in their meetings with Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Richard Marles earlier in the day and Foreign Minister Penny Wong on Tuesday, the ministry said in a release. Ma
July 30, 2025 -
S. Korea's finance chief vows 'mutually beneficial' trade deal with Trump govt.
South Korea's Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol on Tuesday pledged to make every effort to reach what he called a "mutually beneficial" trade agreement with the United States ahead of this week's negotiation deadline. "We will do our utmost to draw up a proposal that centers on national interest and enables a mutually beneficial agreement between South Korea and the US," Koo told reporters at Incheon International Airport before departing for Washington. Koo is scheduled to hold talks with US Treas
July 29, 2025 -
S. Korea proposes major shipbuilding investment in US ahead of tariff negotiation deadline
South Korea has proposed a multibillion-dollar shipbuilding investment package in the United States as part of ongoing negotiations to avert steep US tariffs as the Aug. 1 deadline for such a deal nears, government sources said Monday, noting the proposal appears to have been well received. According to the multiple sources, Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan held talks with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on Friday in New York, during which he presented the proposal, dubbed "Make American Shi
July 28, 2025 -
Lee appoints new chief of special delegation to Vietnam
President Lee Jae Myung has appointed Park Chang-dal, a former three-term lawmaker, as the new head of the special delegation to Vietnam, citing health reasons for the replacement, the presidential office said Monday. Park replaces former lawmaker Lee In-ki, who was originally designated to lead the delegation but withdrew due to health issues, the office said in a press notice. The delegation also includes two lawmakers from the ruling Democratic Party, Yoon Hu-duk and Baek Hye-ryun. Park is "e
July 28, 2025 -
Seoul's top trade officials meet Lutnick, stress need to reach tariff deal before Aug. 1
South Korea's top trade negotiators have held a joint meeting with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick in Washington, where the two sides reaffirmed their commitment to reach a tariff agreement before the Aug. 1 deadline, Seoul's industry ministry said Friday. Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan and Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo met with Lutnick in the US capital Thursday and discussed ways to improve their countries' trade relations, including forging a bilateral manufacturing partnership, according
July 25, 2025 -
Lee seeks stronger ties in calls with German, Uzbek leaders
President Lee Jae Myung on Thursday held separate phone calls with his counterparts in Germany and Uzbekistan, his office said, to discuss strengthening bilateral cooperation. During his call with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Lee highlighted the strong relationship between the two nations. Merz agreed, noting that Germany and South Korea are important partners that share the core values of democracy, human rights and free trade. The two leaders also agreed on the hope of meeting at the earl
July 24, 2025 -
Lee's top security aide meets US officials ahead of tariff deadline
National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac said Thursday he has met with senior officials of the Donald Trump administration during his recent visit to the United States to support ongoing trade negotiations as the tariff deadline looms. In a press notice, Wi said he accompanied Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo for talks with US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer during his stay in Washington earlier this week. He also held a phone consultation with US Secretary
July 24, 2025 -
Seoul, Tokyo top diplomats vow to strengthen ties in 1st phone call
Foreign Minister Cho Hyun on Thursday held his first phone call with his Japanese counterpart, Takeshi Iwaya, discussing regional issues and bilateral relations, the foreign ministry said. During the conversation, Cho stressed the importance of Seoul-Tokyo relations, describing them as a key axis of the South Korean government's pragmatic diplomacy, alongside trilateral cooperation with Washington. Cho, who took office on Monday, suggested the two countries work to build a more solid, future-ori
July 24, 2025 -
S. Korea-US '2+2' trade talks postponed due to Bessent's urgent schedule: finance ministry
High-level trade talks between South Korea and the United States scheduled for later this week have been postponed due to US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's urgent schedule, Seoul's finance ministry said Thursday. The planned "2+2" dialogue scheduled for Friday in Washington was set to bring together Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol and Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo, alongside Bessent and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, ahead of the Aug. 1 negotiation deadline. "The US has proposed holding
July 24, 2025 -
S. Korea's industry minister vows all-out efforts to reach trade deal with US
South Korea's new Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan pledged Wednesday to make all-out efforts to reach a trade deal with the Trump administration as he arrived in Washington as part of Seoul's stepped-up efforts to make progress in tariff talks ahead of the Aug. 1 negotiation deadline. Kim's arrival came a day after Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo arrived in the US capital to attend Friday's "two-plus-two" high-level trade talks, which will also be attended by Seoul's Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol, US
July 24, 2025 -
Industry minister heads to Washington for trade talks with US counterparts
South Korea's new industry minister departed for Washington, D.C., on Wednesday to hold talks with high-level officials of the Donald Trump administration, about a week before the Aug. 1 deadline for a trade deal is set to expire. During his three-day trip to the United States, Kim Jung-kwan, minister of trade, industry and energy, will meet with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, who also serves as the chairman of the National
July 23, 2025 -
S. Korea's trade minister vows to do 'all we can' to reach deal with Trump govt.
South Korea's Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo pledged Tuesday to do "all we can" to reach a trade deal with US President Donald Trump's administration as he arrived in Washington with the Aug. 1 deadline for tariff negotiations approaching. Yeo made the remarks, underscoring Seoul's priority to maximize national interests in the negotiations, as he and new Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol are slated to attend the "2+2" trade talks with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and US Trade Representative Jam
July 23, 2025 -
S. Korea, US to hold '2+2' trade talks in Washington: finance minister
Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol said Tuesday that he will hold so-called "2+2" high-level trade talks with the United States later this week, ahead of the looming Aug. 1 deadline for bilateral negotiations on the US' sweeping tariff measures. Koo said he and Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo will head to Washington for the talks set to be held Friday, involving US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. "With the Aug. 1 deadline fast approaching, relevant ministries
July 22, 2025