Lee says tariff deal will move step by step

Feb 26, 2026, 07:52 am

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President Lee Jae-myung enters a luncheon meeting with senior advisers of the Democratic Party at the presidential office on Feb. 25. /Yonhap

Lee Jae-myung said Tuesday that his government will proceed “step by step” in tariff negotiations with the United States, coordinating schedules between the two sides based on commitments made at the summit level.

Lee made the remarks during a luncheon meeting with senior advisers of the Democratic Party of Korea at the presidential office.

According to presidential spokesperson Lee Kyu-yeon, the president said in a closed-door session that the tariff negotiations were “a promise made between the leaders of our two countries,” adding that “we will move forward steadily while adjusting our schedule with that of the United States.”

Lee invited prominent party elders, including former National Assembly Speaker Moon Hee-sang and former Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun, for policy discussions and advice on state affairs.

The luncheon marked the first meeting between Lee and the party’s senior advisory group in about six months and the first since his return to the Blue House.

“The Democratic Party has newly taken office and visible achievements are emerging early, allowing the public to feel meaningful change. That is very fortunate,” Lee said, expressing gratitude to the senior advisers for their efforts.

He emphasized that a president must pursue governance that integrates all sides, acknowledging that “many things are still lacking,” but pledged continued efforts to ensure citizens enjoy a better tomorrow.

Lee also stressed that resolving livelihood and economic issues remains his top priority.

“The most important task right now is addressing people’s livelihoods and the economy,” he said, adding that chronic problems — such as the concentration of wealth in real estate that fuels social polarization and burdens ordinary citizens — “must be resolved.”

He noted recent signs that funds tied up in the property market are beginning to flow into more productive capital markets, calling the trend “natural and encouraging.”

During the meeting, Lee briefly paid tribute to the late former Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan, expressing regret that he could not attend.

“I should have invited you earlier,” Lee told the senior advisers. “I will seek your counsel more often going forward.”

The remarks signal that while Seoul is preparing for potentially complex tariff negotiations with Washington, the administration intends to move cautiously and in close coordination with the US side, while keeping domestic economic stability at the forefront.

#Lee Jae-myung #Democratic Party of Korea #Blue House #US tariff negotiations