Lee asks EU for favorable treatment of S. Korean steel: presidential official

ROME, June 11 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Jae Myung has asked the European Union (EU) to give favorable consideration to South Korean steelmakers under the bloc's upcoming tariff system during his recent summit with EU leaders, the presidential policy chief said Thursday.

The president filed the request the previous day when he met with Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, and Antonio Luis Santos da Costa, president of the European Council, in Brussels, according to Kim Yong-beom, presidential chief of staff for policy.

"On the issues of securing tariff-rate quotas, President Lee strongly requested favorable consideration for South Korea, a free trade agreement partner and strategic partner," Kim told a press briefing in Rome. Lee arrived here Wednesday following his two-day visit to Brussels.

The EU side responded that it would give the request as much consideration as possible, citing South Korea's importance, according to Kim.

The EU recently announced plans to sharply reduce tariff-free quotas for steel imports and raise the tariff to 50 percent on imports exceeding the quotas.

Presidential chief of staff for policy Kim Yong-beom speaks during a press briefing at a hotel in Rome on June 11, 2026. (Yonhap)