Gyeongju: The presidential office has stated it is neither optimistic nor pessimistic regarding the potential for reaching a tariff agreement with the United States during upcoming discussions. This announcement comes as President Lee Jae Myung is scheduled to meet U.S. President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Lee Kyu-youn, who serves as the senior secretary for public relations and communication, shared these insights during a radio interview. The meeting between the two leaders is set to take place in Gyeongju, as part of the APEC gathering. "It is still a situation where (one) can neither be optimistic nor pessimistic," Lee remarked, highlighting the complexities involved in the negotiations. The discussions are centered on South Korea's $350 billion investment pledge, a cornerstone of the bilateral trade agreement established in July.

The potential for a top-down approach, where the leaders themselves might directly influence the negotiation process, remains uncertain. However, Lee indicated that such a method could be considered if it aligns with South Korea's priority of safeguarding national interests.

Furthermore, Lee stated that there is no available information on any potential meeting between President Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un during Trump's visit to South Korea. President Trump has previously expressed openness to meeting Kim, signaling a continued interest in engaging diplomatically with the North Korean leader.