Kim Jeong-kwon, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy, met with Howard Rutnik, U.S. Secretary of Commerce, at the Department of Commerce meeting room in Washington D.C. on the 29th of last month (local time) to discuss trade issues such as tariffs. 2026.1.31 [Photo=Yonhap News]

Following Yonhap News' report that the government launched the 'Korea-U.S. Strategic Investment MOU Implementation Committee,' interpretations surrounding the negotiation structure are divided. 

Hanmi Ilbo reviewed the key expressions used in the Yonhap News article based on the original text of the Korea-U.S. Joint Fact Sheet released by the White House and USTR. 

This fact-check verifies only the gap between the original text and the expressions, without exceeding the scope of the Yonhap News report.

Issue ① — Did the U.S. Request a 'Special Law'?

Presentation of the Issue

The Yonhap News article mentions the delay in enacting a special law as a negotiation variable. However, considering the Joint Fact Sheet and the context of President Trump's remarks, further verification is needed to determine if a specific special law was explicitly stated as a requirement.

• Original Text Citation (Verification)

“In the coming weeks, the United States and Korea will undertake applicable domestic procedures…”

“In the coming weeks, the United States and Korea will undertake applicable domestic procedures.”

The Fact Sheet uses only the expression 'domestic procedures' without referring to a specific special law.

• Interpretation

The Fact Sheet does not use language that suggests a specific special law was requested. Concluding that 'domestic procedures' directly implies specific legislation can be an interpretation that goes beyond the scope of the document. 

In particular, even when President Trump mentioned the possibility of tariff increases, the emphasis was on ratification or legislative approval to implement the agreement, not on a specific domestic procedure called a 'special law,' thus requiring accuracy in expression.

Issue ② — Reporting Focused on Investment Implementation, Does It Align with the Core of the Actual Document?

• Presentation of the Issue

The Yonhap News article explains the promotion of investment to the U.S. as the central flow of the negotiation.

• Original Text Citation (Verification)

“Korea will eliminate the 50,000-unit cap on U.S.-originating Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS)-compliant vehicles…”

“Korea will eliminate the 50,000-unit import cap on U.S.-originating vehicles that comply with FMVSS standards.”

“The United States and Korea commit to ensure that U.S. companies are not discriminated against… including network usage fees and online platform regulations…”

“Both countries will ensure that U.S. companies are not discriminated against, including regarding network usage fees and online platform regulations…”

• Interpretation Correction

The main provisions of the Joint Fact Sheet focus on expanding market access, such as the relaxation of regulations on automobiles, agricultural products, and digital services. Explaining the negotiation structure solely based on investment implementation can lead to a narrowed understanding of the document's overall context.

Issue ③ — Are Tariff Adjustments an Independent Variable?

• Presentation of the Issue

The article can be read as if tariff pressure is directly linked to the promotion of investment.

• Original Text Citation (Verification)

“Given Korea’s commitment… the United States will remove the reciprocal tariffs…”

“Given Korea’s commitment… the United States will remove the reciprocal tariffs…”

• Interpretation Correction

The Fact Sheet describes tariff adjustments as a conditional structure linked to Korea's actions. This shows that tariffs are part of the mutual conditions within the negotiation structure.

Issue ④ — Authority Structure of the Investment Committee and Consultation Committee

• Presentation of the Issue

The Yonhap News article mentions the structure of the Investment Committee and Consultation Committee together.

• Original Text Citation (Verification)

“convene the Joint Committee of the United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement…”

“convene the Joint Committee of the United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement to formalize the commitments.”

• Interpretation Correction

The Joint Fact Sheet does not provide detailed explanations of the Investment Committee's authority structure. Rather than concluding it is a joint approval system, the follow-up procedures through the FTA Joint Committee are emphasized.

Conclusion — Need to Narrow the Scope of Interpretation Based on the Original Text

The purpose of this fact-check is not to refute the Yonhap News article itself, but to examine points where some expressions might be read more definitively than the actual wording when compared to the original Korea-U.S. Joint Fact Sheet. The interpretation of 'request for a special law' or 'investment-centric implementation' may precede the direct wording of the document, and for negotiation reports, careful narration based on the primary document is necessary.

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