Seoul: Industry Minister nominee Kim Jung-kwan on Thursday pledged to mobilize all available resources to boost exports and spur economic growth, while vowing to pursue "pragmatic" trade policies in response to the United States' aggressive tariff scheme.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Kim made the commitment during his parliamentary confirmation hearing, after being nominated as the first industry minister under the Lee Jae Myung administration, at a time when South Korea is grappling with sluggish growth momentum and the Donald Trump government's sweeping tariff measures. "Free trade and international norms, which have driven our exports, are no longer functioning as they should, due to U.S. tariff measures and the spread of protectionism," Kim said in his opening remarks. "I will mobilize all available resources to prop up exports and investment."

"We will pursue pragmatic trade policies with a focus on maximizing national interests," he added.

South Korea is working to reach a tariff agreement with the U.S., as Trump earlier said his government will impose 25 percent reciprocal tariffs on South Korean goods starting Aug. 1, unless a deal is reached beforehand.

The tariffs were initially supposed to take effect on July 8, following a 90-day suspension, but Trump extended the deadline to Aug. 1 to allow more time for negotiations.

Kim also stressed the need to expand the country's global cooperation networks through trade agreements with various nations and its participation in international forums, such as the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit.

"It is crucial to strengthen export infrastructure, which will help transform South Korea's trade structure and usher in the era of US$1 trillion in exports," the nominee said.

Priority will also be placed on the widespread adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies and the reform of the research and development (R and D) framework to strengthen the foundation for future innovation, according to the nominee.