President Lee Jae-myung says South Korea would face a crisis if it made a large outlay to the US. Photo: AP PHOTO

South Korea is unable to pay an upfront sum in investment in the United States as US President Donald Trump has suggested under a deal to cut tariffs and is seeking an alternative solution, a presidential adviser in Seoul says.

Subscribe now for unlimited access .

Login or signup to continue reading All articles from our website The digital version of Today's Paper All other regional websites in your area Continue

Since a handshake deal by the allies' leaders in July to lower US tariffs to 15 per cent from 25 per cent, as Trump earlier imposed, South Korea has said the $US350 billion ($A535 billion) in investment would be in the form of loans and loan guara

See Full Page