Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Kim Jung-kwan is set to visit the United States for high-level trade talks, ahead of the August 1 deadline for finalizing tariff talks with the U.S. 

According to the industry ministry, Kim, who took office on Monday, will depart for the U.S. on Wednesday.

The minister is reportedly coordinating a meeting with his U.S. counterpart, Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, to discuss lowering sector-specific tariffs on South Korean automobiles and steel products. 

The deputy minister for trade will accompany Kim on the trip. 

Meanwhile, the nation’s chief trade negotiator, Yeo Han-koo, arrived in Washington on Tuesday local time. 

Trade Minister Yeo and Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol are scheduled to hold trade talks with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on Friday.