South Korea dismisses chief trade negotiator amid US tariff pressure
ManagementGeopolitics
South Korea has dismissed Yoh Han-koo, its chief trade negotiator, effective Saturday, August 15, amid mounting tariff pressure from the United States. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said President Lee Jae-myung ordered the dismissal without giving a reason, while a government official confirmed to Yonhap News Agency that the move is unrelated to the tariff negotiations between the two countries. Yoh said reports of personal misconduct are groundless and that he is considering legal action over false reporting. The move comes as South Korea faces US pressure to accelerate implementation of investment commitments under a bilateral tariff agreement, as well as a dispute over fines against Coupang, the e-commerce giant listed on the US stock market, over a personal data leak. On Thursday, August 13, US President Donald Trump signed a proclamation imposing new tariffs on drones and drone components, including a 15 percent tariff on imports from South Korea. Yoh previously served as trade minister under former President Moon Jae-in and returned to the role after President Lee Jae-myung's government took office in May 2025, playing a key part in trade negotiations with the United States on import tariffs and South Korean investment in the US.
