S. Korea, U.S. agree on early summit, no date set: Top security adviser

South Korea's top security adviser Wi Sung-lac has returned home from Washington after meeting his U.S. counterpart to discuss trade, security and other key issues.

He explained that no exact date has been set for the South Korea-U.S. summit.

Our Presidential office correspondent Yoon Jung-min reports.

During his meeting with U.S. counterpart Marco Rubio in Washington, South Korea's top security adviser Wi Sung-lac suggested holding a summit between President Lee Jae Myung and U.S. President Donald Trump as early as possible.

However, no date has been set, according to Wi during a press briefing on Wednesday upon returning from his four-day trip to Washington, D.C.

"I suggested holding a South Korea-U.S. summit as soon as possible to facilitate the process of making mutually beneficial agreements on pending issues. Secretary Rubio has agreed."

When it comes to new U.S. tariffs that are set to take effect on August 1, Wi said the two sides will maintain close communication for a package deal.

"Talks include issues across the board, including trade, investment, purchasing goods and security. We suggested taking all this into a "package" to make progress in negotiations."

South Korea was tagged with levies of 25-percent.

Wi says the goal is to eliminate the tariffs, and if not possible, then to minimize them.

When asked about the allies' defense cost-sharing, the Korean security adviser said the Special Measures Agreement was not addressed specifically, though discussions did include defense spending as a whole.

Noting South Korea's annual contribution of more than 1.1-billion U.S. dollars, he said the country is also upping its overall defense spending.

U.S. President Trump has recently insisted that Seoul was underpaying for military protection.

Wi stressed the need to resolve pending issues within a broader framework of promoting the alliance.

Eyes are on how the value of the bilateral alliance, that has lasted for over 7 decades, can be preserved in the face of pressure on defense-cost sharing and tariff threats.

Yoon Jung-min, Arirang News.