A senior South Korean official has strongly asserted that a proposed U.S. tariff targeting the Asian nation over alleged forced labor concerns is “neither appropriate nor necessary.” Emphasizing Seoul’s unwavering commitment to eradicate the use of forced labor both domestically and worldwide, the official urged for reconsidered treatment from Washington.
During a public hearing on the contentious proposed tariffs, Lee Seung-heon, counselor for trade, industry, and resources at the South Korean Embassy in Washington, reiterated Seoul’s firm stance. He argued that if the U.S. proceeds with these tariffs, South Korea should receive “more favorable treatment” given its dedicated efforts.
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has put forward a 12.5 percent tariff proposal impacting South Korea and numerous other economies. This action stems from investigations conducted under Section 301 of the 1974 Trade Act, alleging failures to enforce import bans on products manufactured using forced labor.
“Korea maintains its fundamental position that any action against Korea concerning the importation of forced labor goods is neither appropriate nor necessary,” Lee stated unequivocally.
He further elaborated, “Even if the U.S. deems it essential to impose tariffs on the investigated economies, Korea believes that, considering its extensive efforts as mentioned, more favorable treatment is warranted for Korea than what has been previously proposed.” This underscores Seoul’s appeal for a differentiated approach.
Lee highlighted South Korea’s proactive measures, noting that the country has effectively introduced and implemented relevant norms specifically “with the aim of eradicating the use of forced labor domestically and globally.”
Notably, he emphasized various policy initiatives undertaken by Seoul. These include the introduction of “Korean Sustainability Disclosure Standards” and the active promotion of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises on Responsible Business Conduct. According to Lee, these initiatives have significantly bolstered private-sector efforts to eliminate forced labor inputs from supply chains.
Moreover, Lee reaffirmed Seoul’s dedication to the South Korea-U.S. joint fact sheet from the previous year. In this document, the Asian nation reiterated its commitment to collaborate with the U.S. in combating the importation of goods made with forced labor, highlighting a shared objective despite the current trade dispute.
