South Korean official: Trade framework agreement with the United States may be reached before August

Odaily Planet Daily News South Korea's top trade envoy said on Monday that it is possible to reach a "principle" trade agreement with the United States before the August 1 deadline, and hinted that South Korea may be open to expanding market access for agricultural products. South Korea is seeking to avoid "unfair" tariffs from the United States on key areas of its industry, which would undermine industrial cooperation with its main security ally and trading partner, said Yeo Han-koo, director of the Trade Negotiations Bureau of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. "I believe it is possible to reach an agreement in principle in the US tariff negotiations and then spend some time negotiating further," Yeo Han-koo said. "20 days is not enough to make a perfect treaty with all the details." "We need to make strategic judgments on agriculture and animal husbandry," Yeo Han-koo said, "Sensitive" areas may need to continue to be protected, but some aspects may be considered part of the overall framework. (Jin Shi)