Bessent Halts U.S.–Korea Trade Deal Until South Korean Ratification Confirmed
Updated (3 articles)
U.S. Trade Representative Bessent Halts Negotiations Pending Ratification Bessent announced that the United States will not move forward with the bilateral trade agreement until the South Korean legislature formally ratifies it. The statement was released on 28 January 2026 and posted by Yonhap at 15:27:55 UTC, with an earlier version appearing two minutes earlier. The condition places the on‑hold status squarely on the need for legislative approval, effectively stalling further talks [1].
White House Official Accuses Seoul of Stalling Obligations senior White House official told Yonhap on 27 January 2026 that South Korea has made no progress in meeting its obligations under the same trade pact. The comment offered no breakdown of the specific provisions that remain unmet and did not identify the speaker by name. This criticism underscores U.S. frustration with perceived delays in implementation [2].
South Korean Presidency Reaffirms Intent to Honor Deal The Blue House issued a brief communiqué on 27 January 2026 stating that the government will convey its commitment to the U.S. trade agreement. The release contained no timeline, detailed actions, or reference to the ratification requirement highlighted by the United States. The statement appears aimed at reassuring domestic and international audiences of Seoul’s willingness to proceed [3].
Rapid Publication Highlights Escalating Diplomatic Tension All three reports were published and updated within minutes of each other, with Yonhap timestamps showing initial releases at 03:23 UTC and 17:46 UTC on 27 January, followed by updates at 03:30 UTC and 18:00 UTC, and a final post at 15:27 UTC on 28 January. The swift revisions suggest a fast‑moving negotiation environment and immediate media response to official statements. The overlapping timelines illustrate how quickly both governments are communicating their positions [1][2][3].
Sources
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1.
Yonhap: Bessent Declares Trade Deal on Hold Until South Korea Ratifies It: Reports Bessent’s firm condition that ratification is required before any further U.S.–Korea trade negotiations can resume, emphasizing the deal’s suspension as of 28 January 2026 .
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2.
Yonhap: White House Official Claims South Korea Has Made No Progress on Trade Deal Obligations: Details a White House official’s claim that Seoul has failed to advance any of its pledged actions under the agreement, without naming the official or specifying the obligations, reported on 27 January 2026 .
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3.
Yonhap: South Korea Reaffirms Commitment to U.S. Trade Deal: Summarizes Cheong Wa Dae’s brief statement that the Korean government remains committed to the bilateral deal, though it offers no concrete steps or ratification timeline, published early on 27 January 2026 .
Timeline
Jan 27, 2026 – The South Korean presidential office (Cheong Wa Dae) announces that the government “will convey commitment to the U.S. trade deal,” signalling intent to implement the bilateral agreement despite lacking detail on timelines or provisions [3].
Jan 27, 2026 – A White House official states that “South Korea has made no progress in meeting its obligations under the bilateral trade agreement,” highlighting U.S. frustration with perceived Korean non‑compliance and adding pressure to the ongoing negotiations [2].
Jan 28, 2026 – Bessent declares that “no trade agreement with South Korea will proceed until the Korean side ratifies it,” effectively putting the deal on hold pending formal legislative approval by Seoul [1].