Yo Han‑koo Ousted from Trade Talks While US Drone Tariff Talks Escalate

South Korea’s chief trade negotiator, Yo Han‑koo, was dismissed on Friday, officials said, as Washington ramps up its push for faster implementation of investment promises under the bilateral tariff deal. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy confirmed the removal but did not specify the cause.

Yo had been the primary liaison with Washington on contentious issues such as US‑imposed tariffs on South Korean goods and the fulfillment of investment obligations. His exit is seen as a pivotal moment in the ongoing, sensitive negotiations between the two allies.

The United States is demanding that Seoul expedite the rollout of capital‑injection projects promised in the tariff agreement, while also confronting a separate dispute over penalties levied against US e‑commerce giant Coupang for a large‑scale data breach.

Compounding the strain, President Donald Trump announced new duties on drones and related components, including a 15 percent tariff on drones imported from South Korea. This policy shift has intensified the pressure on Seoul’s trade apparatus.

Yo, originally appointed as trade minister during Moon Jae‑in’s term and re‑appointed in May 2025 by President Lee Jae‑myung, had a central role in negotiating both tariff reductions and investment timelines. His removal raises immediate questions about who will assume responsibility for the delicate US‑Korea trade talks and whether a new approach will be taken to resolve the remaining points of contention.