Seoul: National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac stated on Thursday that the United States' decision to raise tariffs on South Korean goods is negatively affecting ongoing security discussions between the two countries, including negotiations on nuclear-powered submarines.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Wi expressed concerns in an interview with the Kyunghyang Shinmun, noting that security negotiations have stalled after U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans to increase tariffs on South Korean goods from 15 percent to 25 percent, overturning a prior agreement made in November.
"We have built a framework for relations with the U.S., China, and Japan to shape the security environment around the Korean Peninsula, but (Trump's) talk of raising tariffs back to 25 percent is shaking one pillar of that framework," Wi remarked during the interview.
Wi had traveled to Washington in December following the release of a joint fact sheet outlining trade and security agreements. He met with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Energy Chris Wright to discuss South Korea's ambitions to build nuclear-powered submarines, as well as issues related to uranium enrichment and the reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel. Working-level consultations were anticipated to occur early this year.
"By now, (U.S. officials) should have come here for talks, but it is being delayed," Wi noted. "It is very concerning."
Wi also mentioned that the Trump administration is focused on various other issues, including digital trade barriers and regulations. He highlighted the case of Coupang, a U.S.-listed e-commerce company under investigation by South Korean authorities for a significant personal data breach.
Wi pointed out that these overlapping issues are complicating negotiations on security matters and stressed the broader security ramifications. He emphasized that while Coupang should be held accountable for the data breach, South Korean authorities need to address U.S. concerns carefully and manage the situation "without procedural flaws."