Overview

• Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan traveled to Washington for follow-up meetings with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and other senior officials.
• Lutnick said on CNBC that there is "no flexibility" and that Korea must sign the July framework or pay tariffs, citing Japan's decision to sign.
• The framework set U.S. reciprocal tariffs at 15% in exchange for Korea's pledged $350 billion in U.S. investments, while auto tariffs remain at 25%.
• Working-level talks this week produced no breakthrough on the investment mix, profit-sharing terms, or the legal form of Korea's commitments.
• Kim plans to raise the detention of more than 300 Korean workers at a Georgia battery-plant site and seek assurances on proper work visas for project personnel.