South Korea and the United States will hold "2+2" trade talks involving their finance and trade ministers in Washington on Thursday, acting President Han Duck-soo said, in what will be the first round of high-level negotiations to ease U.

South Korea's acting President Han Duck-soo said on Monday he expected trade talks with the United States this week in Washington to be the start of meaningful cooperation, but added that negotiations may not be easy.

South Korea and the United States will hold trade consultations this week in Washington at the suggestion of the United States, Seoul's trade ministry said on Sunday.