Download
S. Korea's prime minister reaffirms economic ties with U.S. at AMCHAM forum
By Park Jun-han,
Arirang News - In the meantime, a solid economic alliance between Seoul and
Washington was once again underscored by South Korea's Prime Minister Kim
Min-seok on Tuesday, who stressed the importance of a mutually beneficial
partnership between the two countries.
Park Jun-han reports.
Prime Minister Kim
Min-seok gave a speech on Tuesday at a special forum, "Meet the New Prime
Minister," organized by the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea, in
which he outlined the country's economic policy direction for the next five
years.
The event reflected
growing interest from the U.S. business community in Seoul's economic agenda.
When making the speech,
Prime Minister Kim started off reframing the Trump administration's slogan,
"Make America Great Again" to "Make Korea and U.S. Great
Again."
Kim's slogan adjustment
emphasized cooperation, highlighting that South Korea and the U.S. can grow
stronger together.
"The United States
will grow stronger when it works with South Korea — effectively, and through a
forward-looking partnership that fits today, not the past. I believe that with
a broader vision and greater imagination, we will move beyond 'Make America
Great Again' — toward 'Make Korea and the U.S. Great.' 'Make the U.S. and Korea
Great.'"
During the event,
Joseph Yun , Chargé d'Affaires at the
U.S. Embassy in Seoul, emphasized the United States' concerns over its own
trade and budget deficits.
Yun, however, said the
tariff talks between South Korea and the U.S. are going well and said the two
sides will have good results very soon.
"I'm really
grateful that the new South Korean government has worked so amicably, so
cooperatively with us on trying to close these gaps, and I have no doubt we'll
have good results very soon again."
James Kim, chairman and
CEO of AMCHAM Korea, stated that the
organization was working to bridge any gaps between South Korea and the U.S. so
that the two countries' economic affairs can be conducted smoothly.
"We launched the
AMCHAM Buy America campaign in partnership with our member companies to enhance
the visibility and accessibility of U.S. products, with the 2025 APEC Summit
just around the corner."
With the governments of
South Korea and the United States actively negotiating on the 25%
"reciprocal" tariffs, set to take effect in ten days,
Prime Minister Kim and
the U.S. side reaffirmed their strong commitment to maintaining a
business-friendly environment and deepening economic cooperation between Seoul
and Washington.
