South Korea's President Lee appoints top trade negotiator amid tariff talks with US

By Berk Kutay Gokmen

ISTANBUL (AA) – South Korea’s newly elected President Lee Jae-myung has appointed Yeo Han-koo as the country’s chief trade negotiator amid tariff talks with the US, according to the Yonhap news agency on Tuesday.

Yeo Han-koo previously served as trade minister under the Moon Jae-in administration.

The president also appointed Lee Hyoung-il as the first vice finance minister and Lim Ki-keun as the second vice finance minister, while Moon Shin-hak became the first vice minister of industry.

Earlier on Friday, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung and US President Donald Trump agreed to work toward a swift tariff deal in their first phone conversation.

Lee, a liberal, was elected on June 3 after former conservative leader Yoon Suk Yeol was impeached and ousted for attempting to declare martial law in December.

The US imposed a 25% duty on South Korea in April as part of Trump’s “reciprocal” global tariffs, which was temporarily reduced to a baseline of 10% for 90 days until July 8.

Meanwhile, Park Yoon-joo has been appointed as the first vice foreign minister while Kim Jina was tapped as second vice foreign minister.

Separately, Prime Minister nominee Kim Min-seok said Tuesday he intends to take part in developing South Korea's relations with the US and Japan if appointed as the prime minister.

"I have a relatively deep understanding of the United States and have had personal relationships with key members of the Trump administration for quite a long time," Kim said.

"I think that my serving as prime minister of the South Korean government will in many respects contribute in certain ways to working out South Korea-US relations," he added.

He also emphasized the importance of South Korea-Japan relations in finding a solution for South Korea's economy and negotiating a tariff deal with the Trump administration.

Kim is a four-time lawmaker, a strategist, and a democracy activist.