Seoul: President Lee Jae Myung stated on Thursday that the South Korean government is making significant efforts in tariff negotiations with the United States, though he remains unsure if these talks will conclude by the upcoming July 8 deadline set by U.S. President Donald Trump. This announcement was made during a press conference marking Lee's initial month in office, amid ongoing discussions aimed at reducing the 25 percent reciprocal tariffs imposed by the Trump administration.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Lee emphasized that South Korea is "doing our best" in the negotiations but acknowledged the difficulty in predicting a resolution by the specified deadline. The complexity of the talks stems from unclear expectations from both sides regarding mutually beneficial outcomes. Lee assured that the government is diligently working to identify agreement areas, stating, "We are actively identifying and developing many agenda items across various areas. We will do our very best," though he refrained from discussing diplomatically sensitive issues.
In addition to tariff discussions, Lee highlighted his administration's efforts to promote peace on the Korean Peninsula. He mentioned the government's decision to suspend propaganda loudspeaker broadcasts along the border, a move he hopes will foster renewed dialogue with Pyongyang. "Just as North Korea responded to the government's recent preemptive suspension of propaganda broadcasts, a virtuous cycle of peace is possible," Lee remarked. He expressed optimism about reopening inter-Korean communication to pave the way for peace and coexistence through dialogue and cooperation.