Overview

• Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said Seoul is reviewing a U.S.-proposed “new alternative” for financing the $350 billion commitment.
• The presidential office said Washington has responded to parts of Korea’s revised plan submitted last month.
• The package is linked to a July framework that would cut U.S. tariffs on Korean goods from 25% to 15%.
• Seoul rejects a lump-sum cash payment, citing foreign-exchange risks, and is pushing for project funding, loans, guarantees and a currency-swap backstop.
• Cho said the U.S. position moved from a mixed structure to full direct investment and noted a cash-only plan would also need parliamentary approval, with talks continuing before APEC.