Seoul, South Korea – The United States and South Korea still haven’t released the joint fact sheet that should summarize the results of last week’s summit between President Lee Jae‑Myung and former U.S. President Donald Trump. The delay has sparked questions about why the two sides are taking longer than expected.
What the fact sheet should say
The document was originally due “two or three days” after the leaders met on October 29, on the sidelines of an APEC meeting in Gyeongju. It is expected to confirm a $350 billion investment pledge from Korea, promised in exchange for cutting U.S. tariffs on Korean goods from 25 % to 15 %. It will also outline security commitments, notably U.S. support for Seoul’s plans to secure fuel supplies for its nuclear‑powered submarines.
Why the release is delayed
Sources say Seoul has sent a draft to Washington and is now waiting for the U.S. side to fine‑tune it. Foreign Minister Cho Hyun told lawmakers that the State Department has asked him to “wait a little longer.” He added that the delay is “largely due to the coordination process with the United States.”
Key security issues—especially the submarine fuel plan—require input from several U.S. agencies, including the State Department, the Department of Energy, and other national‑security bodies. Agreeing on wording for these sensitive items can take time.
Impact on broader talks
The fact sheet also ties into the annual security talks this week between South Korea’s Defense Minister Ahn Gyu‑back and U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. Topics included Korea’s push to regain wartime operational control from the U.S. and plans to boost defense spending. Those discussions need to line up with the language that will appear in the fact sheet.
What could still be up in the air
There remains the possibility that the two partners have not yet settled on all key security details. Especially, Korea seeks U.S. permission to produce its own fuel for nuclear submarines, which would require a revision of current nuclear‑energy agreements or a new contract. Until that issue is resolved, the fact sheet could see another postponement.
Looking ahead
Seoul and Washington will still need to review and approve the final draft before it goes public. The delay may be brief, but it highlights the complex coordination required when two major allies negotiate trade and defense. As the world watches, the fact sheet’s release will signal how firmly the U.S. and South Korea are building their partnership on trade, security, and technology.
Source: ianslive
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