The two sides have not yet released any written agreement, despite meeting just two weeks ago and announcing that they had settled months of negotiation over tariffs and other security issues.

Officials in South Korea say that the apparent delay is due to discussions about their request to Washington for its blessing to build a nucleo-powered submarine. Lee made this public when he met Trump at an Asia-Pacific Forum last month.

Officials said that after the meeting they would release a document outlining an accord on security, including the submarine. They would also outline a deal announced in July at the first Trump and Lee summit, whereby South Korea would invest hundreds of billions in U.S. project in exchange for reduced tariffs.

In an interview conducted by local broadcaster KBS, South Korean Defence Minister Ahn stated that the U.S. Departments need time to change their minds.

Washington has approved Seoul’s use of nuclear energy for the submarine, but the factsheet will take longer to complete because U.S. departments continue to give feedback and make adjustments to the wording. A senior South Korean official told reporters on Friday that the U.S. Departments are still providing feedback.

The White House didn't immediately respond to an inquiry for comment.

Lee's position regarding the building of the submarine in South Korea appears to be at odds with Trumps recent social media comments, stating that it was approved, but would be constructed at a U.S. vesselyard. Analysts question the willingness of the United States to transfer sensitive technologies. Both sides have said they have reached a trade agreement. After Lee and Trump met earlier, there were disagreements over the structure of an investment fund that prevented any joint statement.

A trade ministry official stated that "when it comes to tariffs the draft can be viewed finalised and the fact sheet will be made available when ready for announcement."

The official stated that a memorandum on understanding for the $350 billion package of investment was also prepared, but has yet to be signed. It is not known when or how it will be signed.

We are waiting because we need to know it officially to take any follow-up actions, like explaining it to the parliament. Reporting by Heejin Lee and Jihoon Kim in Seoul, with additional reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt in Washington and David Brunnstrom; editing by Saad sayeed

(source: Reuters)