Ministry of Trade Industry and Resources

Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) will visit Washington, D.C., January 11–14, 2026 (local time), to meet with key stakeholders—including the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), relevant U.S. government agencies, members of Congress, and industry representatives—and discuss Korea–U.S. trade issues.

The visit comes as the U.S. Supreme Court considers the legality of reciprocal tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). During the trip, Trade Minister Yeo will closely track developments and consult with relevant agencies and industry to explore response options to minimize potential impacts on businesses.

Trade Minister Yeo will also hear concerns from members of Congress and industry stakeholders regarding Korea’s domestic digital legislation, while underscoring that it is neither discriminatory toward U.S. companies nor intended to create unnecessary barriers.

In meetings with the USTR, Trade Minister Yeo will review progress on preparations for the Korea–U.S. Free Trade Agreement (FTA) Joint Committee and coordinate details, including the agenda and schedule.

Trade Minister Yeo emphasized, “As Korea moves forward with legislation in areas such as digital policy, it is important to maintain a stable Korea–U.S. trade environment through thorough stakeholder consultations and close coordination among relevant ministries.