[Anchor]
Political circles are also paying attention to the outcome of the Korea-U.S. tariff negotiations. The Democratic Party welcomed the results, saying that practical diplomacy thoroughly protected national interests. In contrast, the People Power Party stated that the tariff level is appropriate but expressed concerns over the large scale of investments in the U.S.
Reporter Kim Min-hyuk reports.
Following the conclusion of the Korea-U.S. tariff negotiations, the Democratic Party hailed it as a valuable achievement of the Lee Jae-myung government’s practical diplomacy. They assessed that this negotiation not only resolved economic uncertainties but also protected farmers’ livelihoods and food security without further opening the agricultural market.
[Kim Byung-ki/Acting Chairman and Floor Leader of the Democratic Party: “Through this negotiation, industrial cooperation between Korea and the U.S. will be further strengthened, and the Korea-U.S. alliance will be more solidified.”]
The party also announced plans to tightly cooperate with the government and ruling party to strengthen corporate competitiveness and pursue legislation for export market diversification.
The People Power Party claimed that the 15% tariff rate, similar to Japan and the EU, is adequate but raised concerns over the U.S. investment scale. They argued that the planned $450 billion investment in the U.S. and energy purchase amount are excessive, surpassing our foreign exchange reserves, which they said would eventually increase the public burden.
[Song Eon-seok/Chairman of the People Power Party Emergency Response Committee and Floor Leader: “It feels like there were many concessions made due to the negotiation deadline. I believe our companies will need appropriate support in this area going forward.”]
They also mentioned that the 15% auto tariff, compared to 0% for us and 2.5% for Japan, is likely to weaken competitiveness.
The ruling and opposition parties continue to clash ahead of the National Assembly plenary session scheduled for the 4th of next month. While the Democratic Party has announced its intention to push for key bills like the three broadcasting laws, the Commercial Act amendment, and the Yellow Envelope Act, the People Power Party warned that if there are no additional negotiations on the bills, they will resort to unlimited debate and filibuster to block them.
This is KBS News Kim Min-hyuk.
Video Editing: Cho Wan-ki
■ Submit Your News Tips
▷ Phone: 02-781-1234, 4444
▷ Email: [email protected]
▷ KakaoTalk: Search for ‘KBS Report’, add the channel
▷ Please subscribe to KBS News on Naver and YouTube!