Acting President says "more balanced and mutually beneficial" relationship with U.S. on trade possible

Acting President Choi Sang-mok said Seoul and Washington can strive to reach "more balanced and mutually beneficial" ties on trade and economics, which would ultimately upgrade their bilateral alliance.

In an interview with the Wall Street Journal published on Wednesday, Choi said that the South Korean government, along with the private sector, is fully prepared to improve trade with the U.S.

The acting president also noted that the trade surplus with the U.S. is temporary, adding that South Korea's shipbuilding could help the U.S. revive its naval shipbuilding industry.

Choi's interview was published on the same day that the Trump administration implemented the 25-percent tariff on steel and aluminum imports, including from South Korea.