Yeo Han-koo, Chief Trade Negotiator, Dismissed

Yeo Han-koo, the Trade Minister and chief negotiator who has led key trade issues such as last year's South Korea-U.S. tariff negotiations, has been dismissed.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced at midnight today (August 15) that "Head Yeo has been dismissed from his position through a personnel action by the appointing authority."

As the dismissal took place while sensitive trade issues remain piled up, attention has focused on the background. However, an official from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy explained, "Political appointments are at the discretion of the appointing authority, making it inappropriate for the ministry to comment on the background," while adding, "He was not dismissed because of trade-related negotiations."
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.