In an unusually candid briefing on July 28, Woo Sang-ho, senior presidential secretary for political affairs, acknowledged that tariff negotiations between South Korea and the United States have grown increasingly fraught.

“It is true that the U.S. side is applying very strong pressure,” Woo said, confirming that Washington is pressing for greater access to South Korea’s agricultural and livestock markets.

Despite the mounting pressure, Woo emphasized Seoul’s resolve to protect its domestic industries. “We are doing our utmost to limit the scale of compromise,” he said, “in order to protect domestic industries.”

His remarks come amid growing scrutiny over whether the Trump administration is using trade talks to extract parallel commitments on defense. Asked directly whether the negotiations include discussion of increased defense spending or further purchases of U.S.-made weapons, Woo replied, “To my knowledge, those matters are indeed on the negotiation list.” He declined to offer details, saying only: “It is difficult to comment on the specific status of those talks.”

As of now, South Korea remains subject to a looming 25% tariff, with the Aug. 1 deadline for a deal fast approaching. With most of its competitors—Japan, the European Union, and others—having already reached agreements with Washington, Seoul finds itself increasingly isolated at the negotiating table.

The South Korean government has drawn a clear line: the terms secured by Japan and the EU—roughly a 15% tariff level—constitute the minimum acceptable benchmark. Accepting steeper tariffs, officials argue, would severely undermine the competitiveness of key exports, particularly in sectors such as automobiles, where Korean firms already face stiff competition in the U.S. market.

Time is running short. U.S. officials are expected to hold their third high-level trade meeting with China on July 28–29 in Sweden, further narrowing the window for substantive talks with Seoul. As a result, Korean negotiators will likely have only July 30 and 31 to reach an agreement. U.S. Trade Representative Scott Bessent is scheduled to meet Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Koo Yoon-cheol on July 31—one day before the tariff deadline—raising the stakes for a last-minute breakthrough.

[Park Sang-ki]

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