South Korea and the United States have agreed to closely cooperate on pending global trade issues including framing rules on digital trade and reforming the World Trade Organization. 

According to the South Korean Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy on Tuesday, Trade Minister Yoo Myung-hee held virtual talks with U.S. Trade Representative(USTR) Katherine Tai earlier in the day. It is the first time the top trade officials of the two countries talked to each other since Tai took office last week. 

Yoo and Tai shared the two countries’ stances on trade policies and agreed to closely cooperate in establishing order on new trade issues such as digital trade and reforming the global trade watchdog. 

They also reached consensus to hold a face-to-face meeting in the near future and continue discussions on bilateral and multilateral cooperation. 

The talks were arranged at Washington’s request.