US-South Korea Relations
Senior US diplomat to visit Seoul soon to launch summit working groups
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Under Secretary of State Allison Hooker will visit Seoul in the coming weeks to launch bilateral working groups implementing agreements from the October 2025 summit between Presidents Lee Jae Myung and Donald Trump, building on earlier follow-up talks.
U.S. President Donald Trump has nominated Michelle Park Steel, a former Korean American congresswoman from California, as the US ambassador to South Korea. The post has been vacant for more than a year since former Ambassador Philip Goldberg departed in January last year. If confirmed by the Senate, she would become the second Korean American to hold the position, following Sung Kim from 2011 to 2014.
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South Korea's Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan held a second day of tariff talks with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick in Washington on January 30, 2026, but again failed to reach an agreement. Following Friday's initial meeting—which also ended without a deal—the discussions deepened mutual understanding, though Kim said more talks are needed.
The Donald Trump administration has notified South Korea of its decision to abolish a development cost waiver for certain US arms purchases. This move is set to increase the financial burden on the Asian ally, which has committed to spending $25 billion on US military equipment by 2030. Multiple sources said the notification came in August.
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South Korean stocks plunged nearly 4 percent Friday, ending a four-day winning streak, as fading hopes for a near-term rate cut triggered heavy selling. Foreigners and institutions led the sell-off, while retail investors switched to buying. The Korean won strengthened sharply against the U.S. dollar.
President Lee Jae Myung stated in a Bloomberg interview that South Korea and the United States remain deadlocked on key details of Seoul's $350 billion investment pledge. Negotiations continue on implementing the July trade agreement, with issues including investment methods, amounts, and timelines. He anticipates a rational outcome ahead of talks with President Trump at the APEC summit.