Wi Sung-lac’s visit signals urgency as August 1 US tariff deadline approaches
SEOUL, July 20: South Korea’s National Security Adviser, Wi Sung-lac, has departed for Washington, D.C., as the deadline for US-imposed tariffs looms less than two weeks away. His latest visit — the second in just 11 days — underlines Seoul’s urgency to negotiate a resolution before the August 1 implementation of new trade measures.
Although South Korea’s presidential office declined to confirm his departure, ruling party sources verified that Wi had left for the United States. During his prior trip from July 6 to 9, Wi met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and proposed a broad “package deal” aimed at resolving both security and economic issues within the scope of the trade talks.
Wi also floated the possibility of a summit between South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and former US President Donald Trump — a move reportedly welcomed by Rubio to accelerate the negotiation process.
His trip aligns with broader diplomatic efforts by Seoul. Newly appointed Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol is expected to visit Washington next week, while Foreign Minister Cho Hyun is planning a separate US visit later this month to address outstanding bilateral concerns.
On July 8, Trump announced a 25% tariff on imports from South Korea and Japan, effective August 1. The former president communicated this directly to both nations through letters and a public post on his social media platform, Truth Social.
“Please understand this 25 per cent number is far less than what is needed to eliminate the Trade Deficit disparity we have with your Country,” Trump stated.
In his message to the South Korean president, Trump added that the US would welcome companies manufacturing domestically, promising expedited regulatory approvals.
The tariff decision has raised concerns across Asian markets, prompting intensified diplomatic outreach from Seoul as the deadline nears.