"Goo Yoon-cheol mentions 'Korea-US exchange rate negotiations,' discussing the issue of currency manipulation designation."

Presidential Office: "Tariff negotiations are ongoing with national interest as the top priority."

Spokesperson Kang Yoo-jung briefing on the emergency response meeting regarding the National Intelligence Service resource center fire (Seoul=Yonhap News) Reporter Kim Do-hoon = Presidential Office Spokesperson Kang Yoo-jung is briefing on the emergency response meeting regarding the fire at the National Intelligence Service resource center, chaired by President Lee Jae-myung this morning, at the Yongsan Presidential Office on the 28th. 2025.9.28 superdoo82@yna.co.kr

The Presidential Office explained on the 28th that the 'Korea-US exchange rate negotiations' recently mentioned by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Goo Yoon-cheol refer to discussions related to the US designation of currency manipulators.

Previously, Deputy Prime Minister Goo told reporters upon his arrival at Incheon International Airport the previous day, "We have completed consultations with the US regarding exchange rate negotiations, and plans are to announce it soon." Following this, some speculated that there had been progress in the discussion of a Korea-US currency swap linked to tariff negotiations.

In response, Presidential Office Spokesperson Kang Yoo-jung stated at a briefing, "As far as I have confirmed, it was not a consultation linked to tariff issues."

Spokesperson Kang explained, "Does the US make decisions regarding the designation of currency manipulators (for other countries)?" and added, "I understand that there was a determination that 'Korea is not a currency manipulator.'"

Currently, South Korea is not designated as a currency manipulator, but it is included in the lower-tier category of 'currency monitoring countries.'

Based on Spokesperson Kang's explanation, it can be inferred that the 'exchange rate negotiations' mentioned by Deputy Prime Minister Goo ultimately mean that consultations were made in a direction that lowers the risk of South Korea being designated as a currency manipulator.

Meanwhile, regarding Korea-US tariff negotiations, Spokesperson Kang reiterated the stance that "they are continuing with national interest as the top priority." Yonhap News