Harris says U.S. will seek ways to ease concern on IRA

Sep 28, 2022, 09:14 am

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Prime Minister Han Duk-soo holds talks with U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris at a Tokyo hotel on Sept. 27, 2022. Han and Harris are in Tokyo to attend the state funeral for former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe./ Source: Yonhap

AsiaToday reporter Lee Wook-jae

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris was informed of concerns over the application of the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) from South Korean Prime Minister Han Duk-soo on Tuesday and said that close consultation with Seoul will continue to address such concerns.

Prime Minister Han, who visited Japan to attend the state funeral for former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, met with Harris at the Okura Tokyo Hotel and conveyed Seoul’s concerns over the IRA. In response, Harris said the U.S. is well aware of Seoul’s concerns about a transitional period until the production of Korean electric vehicles begins in the U.S.

Harris’ remarks can be seen as reconfirmation of the recent discussions between President Yoon Suk-yeol and U.S. President Joe Biden at the United Nations General Assembly. Previously, Yoon and Biden shared opinions on the implementation of the IRA and both of them have instructed the National Security Council (NSC) of both countries to intensively review the issue.

It is also interpreted as Washington’s willingness to look into claims that Hyundai Motor Company, which is building an EV-only plant in the United States, wants to suspend the enforcement of the law through some revisions.

In addition, Han told Harris that both Korea and the U.S. have worked together to protect shared values such as human rights and free trade. “Many issues cannot be completely resolved right now, but I hope to continue our discussions,” Han said.

In response, Harris said the allies have “a lot of work” to do to strengthen their relations, including their investment in innovation, technology and space.

“U.S. Vice President Harris’ visit to Korea following the recent meeting between the two leaders at the United Nations will be another opportunity to show the United States’ strong will to strengthen the South Korea-U.S. alliance,” Han said. In response, Harris said the visit would be an opportunity to reaffirm the South Korea-U.S. alliance as a key pillar of peace and stability in the region and to reaffirm the U.S.’ strong defense commitment to South Korea.

Harris will visit the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) separating the two Koreas during her visit to South Korea. She would visit the DMZ on Thursday and receive a briefing from U.S. commanders.

In this regard, Han said the planned visit by Harris to the DMZ is a “symbolic” move for the South Korea-U.S. alliance.

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