A US interagency security negotiation team will visit South Korea this month to discuss nuclear-powered submarine, atomic energy, and shipbuilding cooperation between the two allies. Despite tensions over the pace of Korean investment in the United States, both sides appear to have reached consensus that "security package" cooperation should proceed promptly.
Foreign Minister Cho Hyun confirmed the visit during a parliamentary interpellation session on the 9th. "In my recent meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, I received confirmation that a team comprising various departments will visit Korea this month," Cho said.
Cho met with Rubio in Washington DC on the 3rd (local time) to discuss pending issues including reciprocal tariffs and security cooperation. While a US security cooperation negotiation team was expected to visit Korea first after being formed, this marks the first official confirmation that the February visit has been finalized.
When Democratic Party lawmaker Yoon Hu-duk asked whether the security package was proceeding normally despite some problems in tariff negotiations, Cho replied, "Yes." The security package agreed upon at last year's summit comprises cooperation on nuclear-powered submarines, atomic energy, and shipbuilding.
At the November summit last year, the two countries agreed on Korea's reciprocal tariff reduction to 15%, $350 billion in US investment, and security cooperation including nuclear-powered submarines, atomic energy, and shipbuilding. However, concerns arose that even the security agreement might be shaken after President Donald Trump announced on social media on January 26th that he would raise reciprocal tariffs on Korea back to 25%. The Korean government understands that the US side has raised concerns about delays in implementing Korean investment in the United States.
Cho said that during his meeting with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer in Washington DC on the 4th (local time), Greer presented a "trade deficit chart" to make his case. According to Cho, Greer said, "Progress has been slow since Korea agreed to invest in the US, and additional agreements on non-tariff barriers have not been properly reached. If there is no progress, we will have to raise tariffs without emotion to improve America's trade deficit."
Cho said he pushed back, calling it "a very wrong approach," but Greer pulled out a chart showing US trade deficits with various countries and asked for understanding, saying, "We hope Korea understands that we have no choice but to conduct trade negotiations with all countries and participates in consultations." Cho explained, "Since he has to negotiate with many countries, Greer actually bears some responsibility too, but his point was that he wanted Korea to respond more quickly."
Cho added, "There is consensus among cabinet members that this issue must be taken seriously. Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo is working to quickly advance consultations with USTR."
Regarding the recent UN Security Council North Korea Sanctions Committee approval of sanctions exemptions for 17 humanitarian projects for North Korea, Cho said, "Our government strongly requested this matter. Secretary Rubio said 'Could we not review this?' and the decision was made almost on the spot."
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Kim Min-seok said during the parliamentary session regarding the reciprocal tariff issue, "We are making efforts to defer publication in the official gazette." He added, "We have been conducting discussions not only through existing trade communication channels but also through a hotline with US Vice President JD Vance." Kim expressed hope that "the Special Act on US Investment will be processed within this month."