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Presidential Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik briefs reporters at the presidential office in Yongsan, Seoul, on August 28. / Source: Yonhap News

The presidential office said Thursday that South Korea and the United States are moving toward codifying their tariff agreement, though final discussions on details remain unresolved.

Presidential Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik told reporters in Yongsan, “There is little evidence that rushing negotiations is advantageous. Internally, we judged that taking tactical time was not a bad option.” He added that customs duties on certain items are likely to be formally documented later, stressing that the delay stemmed from “multiple complex factors.”

Kang also described a new “continuing negotiations” framework as the emerging norm in trade talks with Washington. “Negotiations with the U.S. don’t end until they are truly finished,” he said. Still, he pointed to trust built between President Lee Jae-myung and U.S. President Donald Trump as a key achievement, calling it “an important foundation for advancing bilateral ties.”

Officials said the two countries reached a deal on July 30 and are now working on how to formalize it, though timing and format remain undecided. Diplomatic sources note that Seoul sought to set reciprocal tariffs at 15 percent and secure most-favored-nation treatment for semiconductors and pharmaceuticals, while Washington balked at such provisions.

Some analysts suggest the U.S. pressed South Korea to spell out concrete timelines and financial commitments tied to major investment pledges. Seoul, facing the prospect of massive fiscal outlays, reportedly wanted more time for careful review.

Observers also say Trump’s reluctance to issue written joint statements—a reflection of his business-style approach—played a role. By avoiding documents that might limit his flexibility, Trump left the agreement open-ended. For Seoul, too, the absence of a binding text could allow greater room to maneuver in subsequent talks.

Still, the challenge of formally recording key figures and commitments in economic and trade areas remains ahead.