South Korean media: President Lee Jae-myung: The core controversy of the 350 billion USD investment to the US in the Korea-US trade agreement remains deadlocked

¬ Bloomberg interview, "Delaying a deal does not necessarily mean failure"

According to South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, the main point of contention in the current Korea-US trade negotiations, which involves a 3.5 trillion USD (approximately 500 trillion won) investment portfolio, remains deadlocked between the two countries.

On the 26th local time, in an interview with Bloomberg, he said, "The investment method, the amount of investment, the timeline, and how losses and profits are shared - everything is still under dispute."

President Lee Jae-myung said, "Of course, the United States will seek maximum benefit for itself, but the extent should not lead to catastrophic consequences for South Korea."

He said, "Dialogue is ongoing, and there are some differences in views. (Reaching an agreement) delaying does not necessarily mean failure," "South Korea is a close ally and friend of the United States, and I believe we can come up with a reasonable result that both sides can accept, and it must be so."

President Lee's remarks contrast with those of US President Donald Trump, who claimed that a deal was about to be reached. On the 24th local time, Trump, on his way to Asia, stated regarding the Korea-US tariff negotiations, "Very close to finalizing (being finalized)," "If they are ready (to reach an agreement), I am ready as well."

The timing of President Lee's interview was on the 24th, the day after the Korean Presidential Office's Policy Director Kim Yong-bum and Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Kim Jung-hwan visited the US to negotiate with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.

About the incident where a Korean person was detained in the US related to building a battery factory in Georgia in September, President Lee said, "It caused serious trauma to the workers, and I heard that some workers do not want to return (to the US)."

He said, "If there are no measures to ensure the safety and proper treatment of these workers, the construction of factories in the US may be significantly delayed." Regarding the visa system improvements being discussed by South Korea and the US to prevent similar incidents, he said that a solution is expected to be found "in the near future."

Source: Chosun Ilbo

Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1847107842966540/

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