Jang Dong-hyuk: "Korea-US Tariff Negotiations Completely Failed... Sufficient Reason for Off-Platform Struggle"

People Power Party Holds On-Site Supreme Council Meeting at Gyeongsan Auto Parts Complex... "What is the Government Doing?" Two Consecutive Days of Attacks in TK Region

"I Will Not Respond to Every Wordplay," in Response to Jeong Cheong-rae's 'Henchman' Accusation

Jang Dong-hyuk and Song Eon-seok Attend People Power Party's Small and Medium-sized Business On-Site Supreme Council Meeting (Gyeongsan=Yonhap News) Reporter Yoon Gwan-sik = People Power Party Leader Jang Dong-hyuk and Floor Leader Song Eon-seok are attending the People Power Party's Small and Medium-sized Business On-Site Supreme Council Meeting held at the Gyeongsan Industrial Complex Management Corporation in Gyeongsan City, Gyeongbuk Province on the 22nd. 2025.9.22 psik@yna.co.kr

People Power Party Leader Jang Dong-hyuk criticized the Korea-US tariff negotiations on the 22nd, saying, "President Lee Jae-myung recently admitted that the tariff negotiations had effectively failed completely, stating that 'if I had signed the agreement, I would have been impeached.'"

At the on-site supreme council meeting for small and medium-sized businesses held at the Gyeongsan Industrial Complex Management Corporation in Gyeongsan City, Gyeongbuk Province, Leader Jang stated, "Gyeongsan, a hub for the auto parts industry, is directly hit by the tariff negotiations."

He added, "Our companies, who have been eagerly waiting for the tariff negotiations to be concluded, are burning with anxiety," and "The public is curious about what the government is doing and what was discussed when the leaders met last time."

He also pointed out, "While the automotive industry is suffering severe damage and eagerly awaiting the conclusion of the tariff negotiations, our parts industry is even more anxious," adding, "A 25% tariff is imposed on auto parts, but those classified as steel within auto parts face a 50% tariff."

He emphasized, "For these companies, tax and financial support are necessary, but reducing logistics costs is also crucial," and "Therefore, the construction of the Gyeongsan-Ulsan Expressway is even more urgent."

Leader Jang then mentioned the APEC Summit to be held in Gyeongju next month, stating, "It should not be an event that simply ends with taking a photo," and "It should be an opportunity for our companies to open doors to new markets and businesses."

After the on-site supreme council meeting, the People Power Party leadership visited an auto parts manufacturing plant within the Gyeongsan Industrial Complex to listen to the hardships of the domestic auto parts industry due to US tariff impositions from company officials.

Speaking to reporters after the factory visit, Leader Jang said, "Coming here, I felt that our companies are working very hard, but the government is not providing adequate support," and "I want to ask if the government truly has the will to conclude the tariff negotiations."

He expressed growing concern, saying, "Statements that only incite anti-American sentiment are pouring out, and we are concerned that the government may be trying to shift the tariff issue to businesses and distance itself," and emphasized, "It is necessary to conduct tariff negotiations by considering the companies' perspectives and various hardships."

When asked about his stance on Democratic Party leader Jeong Cheong-rae's response to his previous designation of Jeong as "Lee Jae-myung and Kim Eo-jun's henchman" at a rally at Dongdaegu Station the previous day, Jeong calling him "a henchman of the insurrection leader," Jang replied, "I will not respond to every wordplay by Representative Jeong," and "We have sufficient reason to engage in off-platform struggles."

Prior to the on-site supreme council meeting, Leader Jang held a breakfast meeting with officials from the Daegu Chamber of Commerce and Industry regarding the construction of the Daegu-Gyeongbuk New Airport. He stated, "Our party holds a firm conviction that the TK New Airport is a key project that will drive balanced national development and enhance industrial competitiveness," and "We will pour all our capabilities into getting the project on track."

He also addressed the issue of unsold properties in the Daegu region, saying, "This is a significant problem that threatens to collapse the entire regional economy, beyond just the difficulties faced by the construction industry," and pledged, "We will work together to resolve this issue." Yonhap News