Han Duck-soo: "U.S. Discrimination Against Korean Electric Vehicles Violates FTA Most-Favored-Nation Clause"

Controversy Over Article Cancellation: "No Party Lines in External Issues"

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo attended the political sector government questioning session held at the National Assembly plenary hall on the 19th, listening to questions from Seo Young-kyo, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] On the 20th, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo stated that the U.S. government's controversy over discrimination against Korean electric vehicles is being legally assessed as a violation of the Most-Favored-Nation (MFN) clause of the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

Responding to a question from Yoon Sang-hyun, a member of the People Power Party, during the National Assembly's government questioning session, Prime Minister Han said, "Based on legal review, it seems to be a violation," but added, "However, implementing such regulations takes considerable time, so we need to explore other options and use this as a last resort."

Regarding the speculation that the so-called 'Pelosi passing'?where President Yoon Suk-yeol did not meet directly with U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi during her visit to Korea last month but instead had a phone call?affected the discrimination against Korean electric vehicles under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), Prime Minister Han dismissed the claim, saying it was "unrelated."

Prime Minister Han stated, "We have communicated with the White House, but it is unrelated to Speaker Pelosi," adding, "When Speaker Pelosi visited Korea, the IRA had not yet passed the Senate, so it was too early to consider it a major issue."

Regarding criticism from opposition parties over President Yoon's cancellation of his condolence visit for Queen Elizabeth II, he said, "Personally, I believe that diplomacy is an external matter where there should be no distinction between ruling and opposition parties," and "If both sides work together with one mind, South Korea can conduct diplomacy with stronger momentum." This was essentially a call for restraint.

He also said, "For leaders arriving late (from various countries), considering the circumstances in London, the royal family arranged for them to pay respects the following day," adding, "It was not an official state funeral event, but arrangements were likely made to allow signing the condolence book."

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