Trade Minister Kim Jung-kwan said South Korea must manage various trade issues to avoid becoming a target of US Section 301 investigations.
"We need to manage various trade issues to ensure we don't become subject to a US Section 301 investigation," Kim told reporters on May 23 after a joint public-private meeting on the US International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) tariff ruling at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Seoul.
When asked about the possibility of the US launching a Section 301 investigation against Korea, Kim said it was "difficult to predict."
The remarks signal the government's intent to closely manage all US-related matters to prevent issues such as delays in the $350 billion US investment commitment and the Coupang dispute from escalating into tariff problems that could be used against Korea.
Section 301, often called "Super 301," allows the US government to impose tariffs without rate limits in response to unfair trade practices by other countries. It has been a powerful weapon the US has deployed at critical junctures, including semiconductor negotiations with Japan in the 1980s.
US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer previously announced plans to launch investigations into major products from key trading partners under Section 301. On May 22, he said the US had initiated investigations into Brazil and China, adding that Washington would "deal with Asian countries with overcapacity in industrial sectors."
This suggests South Korea, which exports semiconductors and automobiles, could also face US scrutiny.
The government plans to maintain close consultations with the US in response. At the meeting, Kim said US tariff policy "is expected to continue aggressively through various means," adding that Korea would "continue friendly consultations with the US, prioritizing national interests."
The government also reaffirmed its commitment to following through on existing US investment plans. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Koo Yun-cheol urged the National Assembly to swiftly pass the US Investment Special Act, warning that delays "could lead the US to misunderstand that Korea is not implementing the tariff agreement."