South Korea's chief tariffs negotiator resigns as political chaos grows

Move comes just hours after country's acting president steps down

Choi Sang-mok's resignation follows that of Han Duck-soo as acting president, which put Choi in the position to take over the role. © Reuters

KIM JAEWON

May 2, 2025 14:25 JST

SEOUL -- South Korea's chief tariffs negotiator and Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok resigned Thursday night, hit by political turmoil, leaving the country vulnerable in its trade talks with the U.S.

The departure came one week after Choi held tariff talks with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in Washington to get an exemption from 25% "reciprocal" tariffs. The two sides said that the negotiations were successful, although they showed differences over the timing of reaching an agreement.