South Korea, US to hold trade talks in Washington

South Korean Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok departed for Washington on Tuesday to lead high-level trade negotiations with U.S. officials.

The talks, scheduled for Thursday, will also include South Korea's Trade, Industry, and Energy Minister Ahn Duk-geun, who will be joining Choi in discussions with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.

Choi emphasized that the upcoming trade talks are crucial for revitalizing the South Korea-U.S. alliance. "I will return after opening the door for discussions on resolidifying the alliance between South Korea and the United States," he told reporters before his departure at Incheon International Airport.

In addition to the trade negotiations, Choi is expected to attend the Group of 20 (G20) meeting of finance ministers and central bank governors during his visit to the U.S.

The talks come amid ongoing concerns over the U.S. administration's imposition of a 25% across-the-board tariff on South Korean imports, which has been temporarily reduced to 10% for 90 days. South Korean acting President Han Duck-soo expressed hope that the talks will lead to mutually beneficial outcomes. "The upcoming meeting, which comes at the request of the U.S. side in consideration of the importance of the trade relationship with South Korea, is expected to open the door to win-win solutions based on candid dialogue and cooperation," Han said at a recent Cabinet meeting.

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