SKorea Pres.: US Trade Deal Unclear    07/03 06:22

   

   SEOUL, South Korea (AP) -- South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said that it 
remained unclear whether Seoul and Washington could conclude their tariff 
negotiations by the deadline set by President Donald Trump for next week, 
noting Thursday that both nations were still working to clarify their positions 
and identify areas of agreement.

   Speaking at his first news conference since taking office last month, Lee 
also reiterated his intentions to improve badly frayed ties with North Korea, 
though he acknowledged that mutual distrust between the Koreas is too deep to 
heal anytime soon.

   Trump's tariff hikes and other "America First" policies are major challenges 
for Lee's month-old government, as are North Korea's advancing nuclear program 
and domestic economic woes. Lee, a liberal, came to power after winning a snap 
presidential election caused by the ouster of conservative President Yoon Suk 
Yeol over his ill-fated imposition of martial law in December.

   Lee calls tariff talks with US 'clearly not easy'

   Lee said the tariff negotiations with the U.S. have been "clearly not easy" 
and stressed that the countries must reach mutually beneficial outcomes.

   "It's difficult to say with certainty whether we will be able to reach a 
conclusion by July 8. We are now doing our best," Lee said. "What we need is a 
truly reciprocal outcome that benefits both sides and works for everyone, but 
so far, both sides are still trying to define exactly what they want."

   Trump's 90-day pause in global reciprocal tariffs is set to expire on July 
9, potentially exposing South Korean products to 25% tax rates.

   Washington has separately been seeking higher duties on specific products 
such as automobiles and semiconductors, which are key exports for South Korea's 
trade-dependent economy. There are growing concerns in Seoul that Trump may 
also demand a broader deal requiring South Korea to pay significantly more for 
the 28,000 U.S. troops stationed in the country to deter North Korean threats.

   Lee has consistently urged patience on tariffs, arguing that rushing to 
secure an early deal would not serve the national interest. His trade minister, 
Yeo Han-koo, was reportedly arranging a visit to Washington for possible 
meetings with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Commerce Secretary 
Howard Lutnick.

   Lee pushes to revive long-stalled talks with North Korea

   On North Korea, Lee said he would seek to restore long-dormant talks with 
Pyongyang, whose expanding military cooperation with Russia pose major security 
concerns to their neighbors.

   "I think we should improve relations with North Korea based on a reliable 
coordination and consultation between South Korea and the U.S.," Lee said. "But 
I expect that won't be easy as mutual antagonism and distrust are too serious."

   Lee previously faced criticism that he was tilting toward North Korea and 
China and away from the U.S. and Japan. But during his campaign, Lee promised 
to pursue pragmatic diplomacy, saying he would bolster the alliance with the 
U.S. while also seeking to repair ties with North Korea, China and Russia. Some 
critics say it's too difficult to satisfy all parties.

   Lee added that he had proposed resuming more frequent summits with Japan.

   Lee's government has made proactive efforts to build trust with North Korea, 
halting frontline anti-Pyongyang propaganda broadcasts and taking steps to ban 
activists from flying balloons carrying propaganda leaflets across the border.

   Trump has also expressed intent to resume diplomacy with North Korean leader 
Kim Jong Un. Lee has said he would support Trump's push.

   North Korea hasn't publicly responded to the conciliatory gestures by Trump 
and Lee. But officials said North Korean propaganda broadcasts are no longer 
being heard in South Korean border towns.

   North Korea has refused talks with the U.S. and South Korea since earlier 
Trump-Kim nuclear talks collapsed in 2019. North Korea is now working to expand 
relations with Russia, supplying troops and weapons to support its war against 
Ukraine in return for economic and military assistance.