Park Jin, Discussing Possible Measures to Address Discrimination Against Korean Electric Vehicles with the U.S.

Unable to Amend Law but Requests for Exemption or Deferral Measures
Not Easy Considering the US Political Situation

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo In-ho] On the 16th, Foreign Minister Park Jin stated regarding the discrimination against Korean electric vehicles under the US Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), "We are proposing possible measures to the US and consulting with them."

Foreign Minister Park Jin is reading President Yoon Seok-yeol's congratulatory letter at the Korea-China 30th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations reception held on the 24th at the Four Seasons Hotel in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Joint Press Corps

Minister Park appeared before the National Assembly Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee on the same day and said, "It is not easy to immediately change the law that has been passed, but we are discussing measures to ensure that discrimination against Korea does not occur during the implementation of enforcement ordinances or guidelines."

He added, "It is difficult to amend the law immediately, but we are seeking solutions that could exempt or defer Korea."

Lee Sang-min, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, pointed out to Minister Park, "The US is pushing for domestic prioritization rather than sharing benefits with its allies. This may be difficult to change due to the domestic political situation in the US."

In response, Minister Park emphasized, "We will consider the political situation ahead of the midterm elections and make our best efforts to ensure that Korean companies in sectors such as batteries, semiconductors, and bio do not suffer unfair damage."

When Democratic Party member Kim Sang-hee criticized that President Yoon Seok-yeol did not meet directly with Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the US House of Representatives, during her visit to Korea in early August due to summer vacation, Minister Park replied, "I think Speaker Pelosi's visit and the passage of the IRA are not directly related."

When Democratic Party member Kim Kyung-hyup asked when he was briefed after the 'Build Back Better Act,' the predecessor of the IRA, was changed to the IRA, Minister Park answered, "It seems to have been around July."

Minister Park said, "We believe we should have anticipated the outcome of such laws comprehensively and made more efforts and preparations in advance. However, Japan and the European Union (EU) share the same position as us, and since they also face the same discrimination, we are consulting on ways to resolve this together."

Meanwhile, Minister Park said at the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee on the same day regarding the Korea-Japan summit meeting during the UN General Assembly, "Both countries are in consultation about meeting at the UN General Assembly, and it is in the final coordination stage."

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