U.S. Secretary of State: "South Korea's Attitude Toward U.S. Companies Was a Variable in Trade Talks"

Distancing from Claims of Pro-China Shift and Leftward Tilt

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on June 3 (local time) that regulatory moves targeting U.S. companies in South Korea have affected the process of reaching a trade agreement between the U.S. and South Korea. However, regarding claims from certain members of the U.S. Congress that South Korea is becoming pro-China and shifting to the left, he distanced himself by saying, "We respect the sovereign choices of a democratic nation."

During a House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing on the same day, Secretary Rubio addressed the assertion by Republican Representative Darrell Issa that American companies face discrimination in South Korea. He responded, "This is one of the factors we engage with in our relationship with South Korea."

Secretary of State Marco Rubio (right) shakes hands with Foreign Minister Cho Hyun before the Korea-U.S. foreign ministers' meeting at the U.S. Department of State in Washington D.C. last year. [Provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs]

Rubio added, "Frankly, I think this has affected our ability to reach a trade agreement with South Korea," stating, "It is because of certain attitudes toward U.S. companies."

In response to Representative Issa's point that U.S. companies such as Coupang and Meta are under regulatory pressure in South Korea, Rubio replied, "Our companies are not only facing difficulties in South Korea," and argued, "The European Union is also targeting American tech companies."

However, he took a cautious stance on South Korea's political situation. While Representative Issa claimed that "South Korean democracy has swung strongly to the left and is opening more avenues toward China," Secretary Rubio replied, "In a democracy, sometimes leaders are elected who are more favorable to U.S. interests, and sometimes leaders with different perspectives are chosen."

He continued, "If a leader is elected through a legitimate election, we respect the sovereign choices of that country's people," and added, "Just because a democratically elected government takes a stance different from U.S. interests does not mean we want to overthrow or remove that government."

Meanwhile, regarding America's shipbuilding revival policy, Secretary Rubio stated, "Some ships will be allowed to be built in South Korea," and added, "This will also benefit the United States."

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