South Korea’s newly sealed tariff agreement with the United States has triggered sharply divided political reactions, Chosun Daily reports. The Democratic Party has celebrated the deal as a diplomatic success that protects national interests, while the conservative People Power Party argues that the government misled the public about the scale of South Korea’s cash investment in the United States.

Members of the Democratic Party praised the agreement, highlighting that tariff reductions on vehicles, auto parts, and adjustments to semiconductor-related duties are expected to remove uncertainty weighing on the country’s economy. They also stressed that key agricultural protections remained intact, preventing further market opening that could harm farmers and rural communities. According to leading Democratic figures, the outcome demonstrates effective and steady leadership from President Lee Jae-myung, with some lawmakers crediting his persistence for securing terms they believe support long-term economic stability. Party representatives even predicted that the agreement could fuel stock market optimism, with some pointing to new highs in the KOSPI index and forecasting continued growth.

According to Chosun Daily, Democratic Party officials expressed appreciation to the negotiation team, noting that 23 ministerial and working-level talks were required to reach the final result. They emphasised that the negotiators worked with a clear priority of advancing the country’s national interest, and several lawmakers characterised the result as a catalyst for a stronger manufacturing sector and enhanced export competitiveness.

In contrast, the People Power Party voiced strong concerns. The party acknowledged that the end of uncertainty is positive, but argued that the final terms are less favourable than Japan’s agreement with the United States. They criticised the government for previously stating that less than five per cent of the planned $350bn investment would be in cash. According to the opposition, committing $200bn in cash—about KRW284 trillion —contradicts earlier explanations and misled the public. They also criticised the absence of a currency swap agreement with the United States, which the government had previously presented as crucial for foreign exchange stability.

The opposition added that the investment plan could increase national debt and limit South Korea’s foreign exchange flexibility. They called for full transparency and insisted that the agreement must be reviewed and approved by parliament, in line with constitutional requirements.