Korea's chief trade negotiator fired amid growing US tariff pressure

The chief trade negotiator for South Korea has been removed from his position, officials announced on Saturday. The move comes as Seoul confronts increasing tariff pressure from the United States due to unresolved bilateral trade disputes. Yeo Han-koo, the dismissed negotiator, was informed of his firing by the Ministry of Personnel Management on Friday, according to an official from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.

The rationale behind his dismissal remains undisclosed. The government emphasized that Yeo's removal is unrelated to the ongoing tariff negotiations between Seoul and Washington. In response to speculation suggesting his dismissal was tied to personal misconduct, Yeo stated in a statement that such claims were baseless. He indicated that he might pursue legal action against those responsible for the false reports.

The dismissal of South Korea's top trade negotiator presents a challenging period for bilateral trade relations. The country is under heightened U.S. pressure to expedite its investment commitments under a bilateral tariff deal, compounded by a dispute concerning fines imposed against the U.S.-listed e-commerce company Coupang for a data breach involving personal information. On Thursday, President Donald Trump signed a proclamation that imposed additional tariffs.