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  Seoul assesses impact and uncertainty after US tariff ruling SEOUL, February 23 (AJP) - South Korea will continue discussions with the U.S. on tariff-related issues "in an amicable manner," Trade, Industry and Energy Minister Kim Jeong-gwan said on Monday. The trade chief said the government will ensure that the terms of a tariff deal finalized late last year are not undermined, after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened a new temporary global tariff of 15 percent following the U.S. Supreme Court's nullification of recipro February 23, 2026
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  Brazilian president receives warm welcome from Lee on first state visit in 21 years SEOUL, February 23 (AJP) -Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was welcomed with a warm embrace by President Lee Jae Myung on Monday, marking his return to South Korea for a state visit — his first in 21 years and the first by a foreign leader since the presidential office returned to Cheong Wa Dae. Lee greeted Lula in the main garden of the presidential compound with open arms as the Brazilian leader stepped out of his vehicle, before the two shared a brief embrac February 23, 2026
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  Seoul "sternly" protests to Japan's 'Takeshima Day' and unjust claim over Dokdo SEOUL, February 22 (AJP) -South Korea on Sunday lodged a formal protest against Japan over a government-backed event asserting sovereignty over a cluster of disputed islets in the East Sea, calling the move an “unjust” repetition of territorial claims over Korean territory. In a statement, Seoul’s foreign ministry said it “strongly protests” the annual “Takeshima Day” ceremony hosted by Japan’s Shimane Prefecture and the attendance o February 22, 2026
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  ANALYSIS: Trump raises global tariff to 15% and what it means for Korea SEOUL, February 22 (AJP) -President Donald Trump has moved to raise a blanket U.S. import tariff to 15 percent, up from 10 percent, after the Supreme Court of the United States on Friday struck down much of his second-term tariff regime, renewing trade pressure on surplus-running countries such as South Korea. The new rate, 10 to 15 percent, replaces many duties invalidated by the court and takes effect immediately. It is being imposed under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, a February 22, 2026
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  South Korean presidential office to monitor US trade measures after court ruling SEOUL, February 21 (AJP) - The South Korean presidential office said Saturday it will closely monitor follow-up trade actions by the United States and global trends after the US Supreme Court invalidated broad tariffs on South Korean goods. National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac and Kim Yong-beom, the presidential chief of staff for policy, co-chaired a joint meeting of relevant ministries to discuss the fallout. The session followed a 6-3 US Supreme Court decision on Friday that r February 21, 2026
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  South Korean prime minister signals cautious review of trade deal after US court ruling SEOUL, February 21 (AJP) - Prime Minister Kim Min-seok said Saturday that South Korea will "wisely" monitor the situation following a US Supreme Court decision that invalidated a key tariff program, suggesting possible adjustments to a previous bilateral trade agreement. The remarks, made during a public briefing in the city of Pohang on Saturday afternoon, address the potential fallout from a 6-3 ruling by the US Supreme Court on Friday. The court found that President D February 21, 2026
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  US trade representative signals new tariff investigations likely to include South Korea SEOUL, February 21 (AJP) - The United States plans to launch broad trade investigations that are expected to target South Korea as President Donald Trump's administration seeks to replace a tariff program recently struck down by the US Supreme Court. US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said in a statement on Friday (local time) that new investigations under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 will likely cover most major trading partners. These probes allow the US governme February 21, 2026
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  White house to exempt cars and minerals from new 10 percent tariff SEOUL, February 21 (AJP) - The White House has made a decision that could provide significant relief for South Korean manufacturers, announcing Friday (local time) that it will exclude passenger cars and critical minerals from a new 10 percent import tax. The exemptions were included in a proclamation for a new temporary import surcharge that takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on February 24. This new policy follows a United States Supreme Court ruling earlier that day that struck down th February 21, 2026
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  Antitrust watchdog moves to penalize seven flour millers over price-fixing cartel SEOUL, Feb 20 (AJP) - South Korea’s competition authority has initiated formal sanctioning procedures against seven major flour producers and distributors, including industry giants CJ CheilJedang and Daehan Flour Mills, for alleged price-fixing. The Korea Fair Trade Commission (KFTC) announced Friday that it has dispatched examination reports—equivalent to a criminal indictment—to seven companies: CJ CheilJedang, Daeseon Flour Mills, Daehan Flour Mills, Sajo Don February 20, 2026
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  Seoul ready to push economic ties with New Delhi to new level - trade minister SEOUL, February 20 (AJP) -A deeper economic cooperation with India has become more important than ever for South Korea as the global trade environment undergoes rapid change, Seoul's Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo said Thursday. Speaking at the Korea-India Economic Cooperation Conference at Lotte Hotel Seoul, Yeo described India as “a central country” in South Korea’s New Southern Policy and “a leader of the Global South.” He said there is signific February 20, 2026