Han Jung-ae, policy committee chair of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea, warned the opposition People Power Party on Monday that its legislative obstruction could provide a pretext for punitive tariffs on Korean companies.
"I sternly warn that the opposition's obstruction could become the pretext for dropping punitive tariff bombs on our companies," Han said at the party's floor strategy meeting.
Han accused the opposition of employing brinkmanship tactics by using the Special Act on US Investment—directly tied to tariff negotiations—as a bargaining chip to break the current legislative deadlock.
"The US Supreme Court ruled the Trump administration's reciprocal tariffs illegal and void, which has actually increased trade uncertainty," Han said. "Yet the People Power Party remains focused solely on political attacks while disparaging the government and ruling party's efforts to protect national interests."
Han noted that President Trump has publicly threatened tariff increases, citing Korea's legislative delays as justification.
"What we need now is to complete the promised legislation on time," she said. "This is how we minimize damage to our companies and maintain the balanced benefits of the Korea-US tariff agreement."
Han pledged to pass the Special Act on US Investment by March 9, the deadline for the special committee's activities, and called on the opposition to cooperate "in the name of national interest as the top priority."
Han also announced plans to pass a third revision of the Commercial Act. She claimed the KOSPI index is approaching 6,000, just one month after breaking 5,000, attributing the gains to the Lee Jae-myung administration's capital market advancement policies.
"The Democratic Party will ensure passage of the third Commercial Act revision in the February session to firmly establish the era of Korea Premium," Han added.