Yoo Si-min: "Trump's Tyranny Is Extreme... Even If US Troops Withdraw, Kim Jong-un Is Intimidated, So It Doesn't Matter Much"

Yoo Si-min Comments on Prolonged Korea-US Tariff Negotiations
"If Yoon Were President, How Much Would He Have Given Away to the US?"
Kim Yongbeom and Kim Jeonggwan Head to the US Again After Reporting to Lee

Yoo Si-min, former chairman of the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation, commented on the prolonged Korea-US tariff negotiations, saying, "If Yoon Suk-yeol (the former president) were still in office, just imagine how much money he would have handed over to the United States by now." On the 19th, through his YouTube channel 'Yoo Si-min Naksia Academy,' Yoo claimed, "It seems like the US side is threatening, saying, 'If you don't sign now, we're pulling US troops out.'"

Yoo Si-min, former chairman of the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation. The Asia Business Daily DB

Yoo further stated, "It seems that President Lee Jaemyung's comment, 'Thinking of self-reliant national defense without foreign troops is outdated; we can absolutely do it,' was a response to the US," adding, "Even if the US pulls out its troops, Kim Jong-un is so intimidated that it doesn't really matter to us." He continued, "Last time, when Yoon Suk-yeol sent drones and caused a stir, North Korea cut off the roads because they were genuinely afraid we might actually invade," and, "North Korea knows that if a war breaks out, it will be their end."

Regarding remarks such as 'Trump's tyranny is excessive' and 'He's acting like a gangster,' Yoo responded, "He is a gangster. Because Korea didn't agree to the 350 billion dollar deal, he retaliated against Hyundai's factory." He added, "It wasn't just a random move by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). They wanted to 'teach us a lesson.' Still, even if LG and Hyundai Motor suffer some losses, we can bear it. It's unfortunate, but..."

On Japan's decision to invest 550 billion dollars in the United States, Yoo commented, "It's hilarious." He explained, "Except for the Pacific War, Japan has little experience dealing with major powers," and, "But we've spent 2,000 years since the Han Dynasty dealing with China and have gained expertise. That's why we don't just give in easily."

Regarding follow-up discussions on the Korea-US tariff negotiations, Kim Yongbeom, the Chief Presidential Secretary for Policy (right), and Kim Jeonggwan, the Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy, who are scheduled to negotiate with Howard Lutnick, the US Secretary of Commerce, departed for Washington DC through Terminal 2 of Incheon International Airport on the 16th. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

The Korea-US tariff negotiations are gaining momentum ahead of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit to be held in Gyeongju next week. Kim Yongbeom, the Chief Presidential Secretary for Policy, and Kim Jeonggwan, the Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy, are heading to the United States on the 22nd. Last week, they met with Howard Lutnick, the US Secretary of Commerce, to conduct tariff negotiations, and on the 21st, they reported the results to President Lee in person. In the United States, they are expected to continue further discussions with Secretary Lutnick based on President Lee's instructions.

On the 21st (local time), US President Donald Trump stated at a White House luncheon, "I believe I will have good negotiations with President Xi Jinping of China and in Korea," adding that the United States has successfully negotiated with Japan, Korea, and Europe using tariff pressure as leverage. He emphasized, "Tariffs are both national security and national wealth," and, "Through tariffs, we have secured hundreds of billions of dollars. That money has come from countries that used to take it from us in the past."

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