Seoul: President Lee Jae Myung stated that South Korea is "carefully" evaluating the potential impact on the nation's financial markets during ongoing tariff negotiations with the United States. The countries have been engaged in intense discussions regarding Seoul's US$350 billion investment pledge.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Lee made these comments in a written interview with The Straits Times of Singapore. The talks between Seoul and Washington aim to resolve differences over the investment pledge linked to a preliminary agreement made in July to reduce U.S. tariffs on Korean goods and automobiles from 25 percent to 15 percent.

"We are carefully reviewing its potential impact on South Korea's financial markets and exploring ways to maximize mutual benefits," Lee stated in the interview. He expressed hope for a compromise during his upcoming meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in South Korea next week, coinciding with the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit. However, Lee remained cautious about "working towards any artificial deadline."

Kim Yong-beom, the presidential chief of staff for policy, returned from follow-up negotiations in Washington and noted that while some progress has been made, key issues in the trade talks remain unresolved.

Regarding relations with China, Lee acknowledged the challenges South Korea faces as it navigates its ties with its two largest trading partners amid ongoing tariff negotiations with the U.S. and intensifying economic competition with China. "It is important to expand new areas of cooperation with China while fiercely competing with it," he remarked.

As South Korea prepares to host the APEC summit in Gyeongju on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1, Lee expressed hopes that the forum will promote regional solidarity and advance innovative solutions to shared challenges. The summit is garnering global attention, with Trump scheduled to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines. The White House announced that Trump will hold bilateral talks with Lee on Wednesday and with Xi the following day.