<안보실장> "Discussing Economic Security Issues with the US... Will Also Address IRA and Semiconductor Act"

Director Kim Seong-han's 5-Day US Visit
5 Days of Talks on North Korea's Nuclear Issue, Regional Matters, and Global Agenda
Director Kim Seong-han: "Finalized President Yoon's US Visit Plans"

Kim Sung-han, Director of the National Security Office, stated on the 5th, "We plan to carefully examine each economic security issue, including the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and semiconductor laws, to assess their positive and negative impacts from an economic security perspective."

Before departing for the United States on the morning of the same day, Kim made this remark to reporters at Incheon International Airport in Yeongjongdo when asked if discussions related to the U.S. semiconductor law would take place.

He added, "We intend to find ways to minimize the negatives and maximize the positives."

Regarding the South Korea-U.S. alliance, he emphasized, "This year marks the 70th anniversary of the South Korea-U.S. alliance," and said, "I plan to meet with my counterparts, such as the White House National Security Advisor and U.S. diplomatic and security officials, to discuss concrete measures on how to make the alliance a stronger and more action-oriented partnership."

Kim also explained, "The security situation on the Korean Peninsula is very serious," and "In this context, I plan to comprehensively discuss various issues including the North Korean nuclear problem, regional matters, the Korean Peninsula issue, and global agendas with U.S. administration officials and academic figures."

Regarding President Yoon Suk-yeol's expected visit to the United States next month, he responded, "We plan to finalize the timing, stage, and level of the visit during this trip."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

When asked by reporters whether the issue of forced labor compensation between South Korea and Japan would be discussed during the U.S. visit, he said, "The solution to forced labor compensation should be discussed between South Korea and Japan, not between South Korea and the U.S. However, the U.S. side is closely monitoring the improvement of South Korea-Japan relations and is very interested to the extent of considering how they might help."

He continued, "Furthermore, through the improvement of South Korea-Japan relations, we will discuss the roles the U.S. can play in South Korea-U.S.-Japan security cooperation and the overall development of South Korea-U.S.-Japan relations, as well as possible measures that can be managed within the framework of the South Korea-U.S. alliance."