South Korean PM convenes key officials on US investment bill amid tariff threats

Prime Minister Kim Min-seok will meet top presidential aides and the ruling party leader Sunday to strategize on passing a special bill fulfilling South Korea's US investment pledges, building on recent trade ministry visits to Washington and an opposition agreement for a special committee.

Prime Minister Kim Min-seok will hold a meeting at 5 p.m. Sunday at his central Seoul residence with President Lee Jae-myung's chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik, Democratic Party leader Rep. Jung Chung-rae, and presidential political affairs secretary Hong Ik-pyo.

The discussions will review insights from Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo's recent weeklong US trip—where he met US officials and lawmakers to reaffirm commitments—and outline strategies to expedite the special bill's passage following last week's opposition agreement to form a special committee. The bill implements South Korea's $350 billion investment pledges to the US, aimed at averting President Donald Trump's threatened tariff hikes on Korean autos, lumber, pharmaceuticals, and reciprocal duties.

The agenda also addresses easing restrictions on dawn delivery services for large discount chains. The ruling party recently proposed legislation allowing 24/7 online operations for overnight services to balance offline and e-commerce interests, despite opposition from labor groups concerned about extended night shifts.

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