Seoul, June 21
South Korea's new top trade negotiator will visit the United States for tariff negotiations next week amid the looming deadline of July 8, his agency said on Saturday.
Yeo Han-koo will head for Washington on Sunday for tariff talks with U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) chief Jamieson Greer and other senior officials, according to the Ministry of Trade, reports news agency.
Yeo was appointed the trade minister under the Lee Jae Myung government on June 10.
In May, Seoul and Washington agreed to focus their talks on four categories -- tariff and non-tariff measures, economic security, investment cooperation and currency policies.
Earlier, Yeo said he would craft measures that can ensure a "win-win" agreement for both countries, noting the allies are expected to hold "intense" negotiations in the coming weeks.
South Korea and the U.S. have agreed to come up with a package deal covering tariffs, non-tariff measures, economic cooperation and other trade issues by July 8 -- when the Donald Trump administration's suspension of reciprocal tariffs, including a 25 percent duty for South Korea, will end.
The Trump administration has raised issues with South Korea's big trade surplus with the U.S. and various non-tariff trade barriers.