Kim Ki-hyun Meets US Ambassador: "Concerns Over US IRA"... Goldberg "To Discuss at ROK-US Summit"

Goldberg "Yoon May Discuss Economic Issues with Biden During State Visit"

Kim Ki-hyun, leader of the People Power Party, met with Philip Goldberg, the U.S. Ambassador to Korea, to express concerns about the potential damage to the domestic semiconductor and automobile industries following the implementation of the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).

On the 20th, Kim met with Ambassador Goldberg at the National Assembly main building. This was the first official meeting with a foreign envoy since his inauguration as party leader.

Kim first brought up the strengthening of trilateral security cooperation among Korea, the U.S., and Japan. He said, "With the change of government, not only have the previously strained Korea-Japan relations been normalized, but the relationship between Korea and the U.S., which had been somewhat less close, is becoming even closer."

Kim Ki-hyun, leader of the People Power Party, is shaking hands with Philip Goldberg, the U.S. Ambassador to South Korea, who visited the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul on the 20th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

He continued, "The longest-ever large-scale Korea-U.S. joint military exercises, symbolizing this significant change, are currently underway, but in response, North Korea's provocations have become more frequent. The more North Korea provokes, the more the solidarity among Korea, the U.S., Japan, and other allies sharing the values of liberal democracy must be strengthened," he emphasized.

He added, "One more thing to mention is that our country is a semiconductor powerhouse. The automobile industry also holds a considerable scale, but with the implementation of the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), there is growing concern that Korean companies may suffer damage. I hope that economic issues between the two countries can be well coordinated to resolve various concerns," he requested.

Ambassador Goldberg responded, "We are very much looking forward to President Yoon Suk-yeol's state visit next month, and President Biden also hopes to welcome President Yoon. Through this, I believe the two leaders will be able to sit down and discuss important issues not only in military security but also various economic issues between the two countries, as you mentioned," he said.