South Korea’s top presidential policy adviser said on Thursday he was “optimistic” about concluding trade negotiations with the United States, in the latest sign of progress that has helped lift sentiment in Seoul’s auto-led stock rally.

Kim Yong-beom, along with Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan, spoke to reporters before departing for Washington, where they will join Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol and Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo for a new round of follow-up negotiations.

“We are optimistic about reaching a mutually beneficial agreement,” Kim said, noting that both sides had made “substantial headway” in recent weeks.

His remarks echo a series of upbeat statements from senior South Korean officials. Earlier this week, Finance Minister Koo said there had been “huge progress,” while Foreign Minister Cho Hyun described “positive signals” in the ongoing talks.

On the U.S. side, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Wednesday that both countries were “close to finalising” a trade deal and that he expected an announcement within the next 10 days.

Seoul is aiming to seal the agreement before late October, when U.S. President Donald Trump is scheduled to visit South Korea for an Asia-Pacific summit. The two allies have been negotiating on issues ranging from market access and industrial cooperation to potential adjustments in tariff schedules.

Expectations of a breakthrough have boosted investor confidence in South Korean equities, particularly among automakers and exporters, which stand to benefit from improved trade conditions with the U.S. The benchmark KOSPI index rose this week, led by gains in major auto shares such as Hyundai Motor and Kia.