S. Korean gov't and business leaders urge U.S. for tariff exemptions and strong economic ties

Korean trade officials and business leaders were in Washington this week with key trade agenda between the two countries amid the Trump administration's tariff campaign.

Our Moon Hye-ryeon has the details.

As South Korea seeks tariff relief and stronger economic cooperation, both government and business leaders are making a united effort to secure favorable conditions for Korean firms operating in the U.S.

According to the trade ministry on Friday, Deputy Trade Minister Park Jong-won met with senior U.S. officials from the White House, the Commerce Department, and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative during his visit to Washington D.C. this week.

He urged the U.S. to exempt South Korea from its new import tariff plans, citing the Korea-U.S. free trade agreement that has eliminated most tariffs on goods between the two nations, and highlighted substantial investments and contributions under the Inflation Reduction Act and the CHIPS Act from South Korean firms.

A South Korean delegation led by the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chairman Chey Tae-won also met with top U.S. officials in a bid to strengthen economic ties.

During talks with senior White House officials, Chey emphasized that South Korean companies have invested over 160 billion dollars in the U.S. manufacturing sector in the past eight years – creating more than 80 thousand high-quality jobs.

Chey requested close cooperation between the two governments, while White House officials reportedly described discussions with the delegation as the most productive they have had with a private-sector group.

Moon Hye-ryeon, Arirang News.