Lee Says $350 Billion US Investment Deal Delayed Over Unresolved Terms, Causing 'Sleepless Nights'

President Lee Jae-myung said South Korea and the United States are still renegotiating parts of the $350 billion strategic investment package agreed as part of the tariff deal that lowered US duties on Korean goods from roughly 25% to 15%. "I myself have spent sleepless nights thinking about this... it carries enormous weight," Lee said, adding that after discovering unacceptable terms in a nearly completed agreement for the first investment project, he ordered further discussions rather than sign off. The sticking point is a 'commercial reasonableness' clause covering how investment returns are recovered, revenue is shared and losses are allocated; Lee said Seoul would back only projects that are commercially rational, stressing that "$350 billion represents taxpayers' money." The delay pushed back Seoul's planned unveiling of its first project under the commitment and a related parliamentary briefing.