On the 15th, the ruling and opposition parties offered contrasting reactions to the ‘Joint Fact Sheet’ (a joint explanatory document) outlining the results of the ROK-U.S. tariff and security negotiations. The Democratic Party welcomed it as “a result that safeguarded the national interest,” while the People Power Party criticized it as a “blank sheet.”

Kim Hyun-jung, floor spokesperson for the Democratic Party of Korea, said in a commentary on the 15th, “This fact sheet is the ‘national-interest sheet’ itself,” adding, “It set in writing the broad framework of 15% reciprocal tariffs, confirmed the principle that the semiconductor sector will be treated ‘without disadvantage,’ and included no additional opening of agricultural markets.”

Kim added, “It even includes discussions on building nuclear-powered submarines, which the People Power Party had pledged,” and pointed out, “In the face of this clear national interest, the People Power Party has fallen into contradiction with ‘criticism for criticism’s sake.’” She said, “We ask the People Power Party: do not stray too far from public sentiment,” adding, “The posture of a responsible major party is to lend support for successful follow-up consultations.”

Baek Seung-a, also a floor spokesperson for the Democratic Party, said in a written briefing, “Why does the People Power Party distort the national-interest sheet as a blank sheet and even threaten diplomacy and security?” Baek said, “By calling it a blank sheet and a humiliating negotiation, the People Power Party is engaging in baseless distortion of facts,” adding, “It is an irresponsible political offensive that undermines even the ROK-U.S. alliance, the symbol of conservatism.”

By contrast, Kim Min-soo, a supreme council member of the People Power Party, held a press briefing at the National Assembly and said, “Once we opened up the fact sheet, it turned out to be a blank sheet, a subservience set. There isn’t a single concrete detail,” and asked, “Is the reason they were reluctant to disclose it that they aimed to deceive the public and boost a declining approval rating?”

Kim continued, “$350 billion in investment in the United States, $36 billion in aircraft purchases, $25 billion in purchases of U.S.-made weapons, $33 billion in support for U.S. Forces Korea. A ‘subservience set’ patched together with taxpayers’ money and corporate burdens, a debt to be shouldered by future generations,” adding, “The Lee Jae-myeong administration should disclose its plans, including the fiscal roadmap and methods of procuring foreign currency.”

Park Sung-hoon, chief spokesperson of the People Power Party, also issued a commentary, saying, “Although the fact sheet has been released, we cannot tell what we gained from this negotiation,” and, “The national interest has disappeared, leaving only massive burdens and vague promises.” He said, “We must never allow the unilateralism of the Lee Jae-myeong administration, which is passing on a fiscal burden amounting to 10 million won per person without the people’s consent,” and argued, “Any negotiation outcome without National Assembly ratification is null and void.”