South Korea Claims Progress in Tariff Negotiations with the US

Busan, South Korea/ILLUSTRATIONS UNSPLASH/Artan

JAKARTA - South Korean Prime Minister Kim Min-seok on Monday said Washington and Seoul were making progress in tariff negotiations, following a phone call with US Vice President JD Vance last month, according to local media.

Kim's statement comes amid controversy over the South Korean government's lack of preparedness in the face of US President Donald Trump's threat to raise tariffs from 15 to 25 percent, according to a report by Seoul-based Yonhap News.

"Not only emergency telephone lines are used, but various communication channels are tried, including direct telephone connections with Vice President Vance, all of which are operated, and through the process of understanding each other's true intentions, so that the situation develops into what we see now," Kim told reporters at his official residence. reported by ANTARA from Anadolu, Monday, February 2.

Trump made the surprise announcement via social media, prompting South Korean trade officials to rush to Washington and meet with their counterparts to resolve uncertainties surrounding the tariff issue.

"This issue is related to President Trump's unique message delivery method," he said.

Kim also denied reports of Trump's threats related to South Korea's investigation into a data breach at US-listed e-commerce giant Coupang.

"The interpretation is completely different from the truth," he said.