Government: "2+2 South Korea-US Talks on 25th Postponed Due to Urgent US Schedule" (Update)

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Koo Yoonchul is answering reporters' questions about negotiations with the United States after the Ministerial Meeting on External Economic Relations held at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno, Seoul on the 22nd. 2025.7.22 Photo by Jo Yongjun

The "2+2 Finance and Trade Negotiations" between South Korea and the United States, which were scheduled to take place in Washington, D.C. on the 25th, have been postponed at the request of the United States.

On the 24th, the Ministry of Economy and Finance announced in a press release that "the 2+2 negotiations scheduled with the United States for the 25th will not be held due to an urgent schedule of U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent." The ministry added, "The U.S. side has proposed to reschedule the meeting as soon as possible, and both sides plan to arrange a new date at the earliest opportunity."

However, the specific circumstances regarding Secretary Bessent's urgent schedule have not been disclosed. Choi Jiyeong, Director-General for International Economic Affairs at the Ministry of Economy and Finance (Vice Minister), received notice of Secretary Bessent's urgent situation from the U.S. side on the morning of the 24th and reported this directly to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Koo Yoonchul.

An official from the Ministry of Economy and Finance stated, "As far as we know, the U.S. side has not clarified the specific circumstances," and added, "We are currently working to gather more details."

With the negotiations canceled, Deputy Prime Minister Koo's planned departure for the United States on a Korean Air flight around 10:30 a.m. was also canceled. It is reported that Koo Yoonchul was waiting to depart for the United States at Incheon Airport when he was informed of the situation by the U.S. side.

Although the 2+2 negotiations have been canceled, trade consultations are still ongoing. An official from the Ministry of Economy and Finance stated, "Consultations between Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Kim Jeonggwan, Chief Trade Negotiator Yeo Hankoo, and their U.S. counterparts are proceeding as originally planned."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.