Seoul: Acting President Han Duck-soo has expressed confidence that South Korea's trade and security issues with the United States can be resolved in a non-conflicting manner. In a recent interview, Han emphasized the potential for cooperative negotiations between the two countries.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Han discussed the "one-stop shop" approach that U.S. President Donald Trump has taken in addressing both trade and security issues with South Korea. Han believes that through collaborative efforts, mutually beneficial solutions can be reached.
During the interview, Han acknowledged the challenges posed by Trump's tariffs on car and steel imports, describing them as "very painful." The announcement of 25 percent "reciprocal" tariffs on South Korea, followed by a 90-day suspension, was termed as "shock therapy" by Han.
Han also touched upon the prospects of collaboration with the U.S. in building a gas pipeline in Alaska and reviving the shipbuilding industry. He suggested that the U.S. needs to reconsider its legal framework governing the sector to facilitate such cooperation. Furthermore, Han mentioned the possibility of easing South Korea's non-tariff barriers, specifically highlighting the restrictions faced by Google Maps in exporting high-precision map data from South Korea.
Addressing the issue of U.S. troops in South Korea, Han reaffirmed the critical importance of their presence for the nation's security, countering past threats from Trump about troop withdrawal.