SK Innovation Recruits Former U.S. Attorney General... Full Effort to Overturn ITC Presidential Veto

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoonju Hwang] SK Innovation, which is currently engaged in a trade secret infringement dispute over electric vehicle batteries with LG Energy Solution in the United States, recently recruited Sally Yates, former U.S. Deputy Attorney General.

On the 24th, SK Innovation announced that it has hired former Deputy Attorney General Yates as a U.S. business advisor and is receiving counsel from her regarding the legal dispute with LG Energy Solution at the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC).

Former Deputy Attorney General Yates served as the last Deputy Attorney General under the Obama administration and was dismissed during the Trump administration after opposing the 'anti-immigration' executive order while acting as Attorney General. She was also mentioned as a candidate for Attorney General in the Biden administration.

In a recent media interview, former Deputy Attorney General Yates urged President Biden to exercise his veto power over the ITC decision that banned SK Innovation battery imports. She argued that the ITC ruling threatens 2,600 jobs that SK Innovation’s Georgia battery plant could create and could hinder efforts to address climate change through the expansion of electric vehicles, stating that it does not align with the public interest of the United States.

On the 10th of last month, the ITC issued a final ruling recognizing that SK Innovation infringed trade secrets by poaching personnel from LG Energy Solution (then LG Chem). The ITC also announced an administrative order banning the import of lithium-ion batteries for 10 years. Imports may be allowed if SK Innovation and LG Energy Solution reach an agreement or if the U.S. President exercises veto power by April 10.

Meanwhile, Kim Jong-hoon, Chairman of SK Innovation and former head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Trade Negotiation Department, recently visited the United States and reportedly appealed to the U.S. administration and political circles for the necessity of the President’s veto.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.