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Woo Sang-ho, senior presidential secretary for political affairs, briefs reporters at the Yongsan presidential office on July 28 regarding President Lee’s upcoming “People’s Appointment Ceremony.” / Source: Yonhap News

The presidential office said Monday it is working to minimize concessions in ongoing tariff negotiations with the United States, as Washington presses Seoul to further open its agricultural market in exchange for tariff reductions.

Woo Sang-ho, senior presidential secretary for political affairs, acknowledged during a briefing at the Yongsan presidential office that "the U.S. is exerting significant pressure" in the talks. He confirmed that "there are indeed demands related to agricultural and fisheries products," including U.S. rice and beef, but stressed the government’s commitment to "minimizing the scope of concessions to protect domestic industries as much as possible."

When asked whether non-tariff issues such as increased defense spending and purchases of U.S. weapons were also being discussed, Woo replied, "I understand those matters are part of the negotiation agenda, but it’s difficult to disclose how far the discussions have progressed."

Separately, Presidential Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik dismissed remarks by Song Eon-seok, interim leader of the opposition People Power Party, alleging that the government had asked conglomerates to expand investments in the U.S. "This is a clear falsehood and baseless political attack," Kang said, emphasizing that "the Lee Jae-myung administration has never requested chaebol leaders to increase U.S. investments."

The presidential office urged bipartisan support, stating, "As these tariff talks stem from U.S. trade pressure, they require joint efforts from the government, industry, and both ruling and opposition parties." With just four days remaining before the negotiation deadline, officials called for "a united push from both public and private sectors, as well as the National Assembly, to conclude the talks successfully."