Ruling party backtracks over early FTA ratification

By Shin Hae-in
SEOUL, Nov. 12 (Yonhap) -- Early passage of a free trade pact with the United
States looked increasingly unlikely here Wednesday as the ruling party slackened
its push in the face of a chorus of opposition from rival parties.
Timing of the legislature's approval of the long-delayed Korea-U.S. free trade
agreement (FTA) has been turning into a source of intense political dispute here,
with opposition parties strident in their objection to early ratification.
U.S. President-elect Barack Obama, who has openly voiced opposition to aspects of
the bilateral deal, is widely expected to seek a renegotiation of the pact upon
his January inauguration.
The pact, struck June last year, is the single biggest trade pact between the two
longstanding allies. It is expected to boost two-way trade, which totaled US$79
billion in 2007, by as much as $20 billion in the coming years.
"We have never said we will make unilateral push for approval," said Hong
Joon-pyo, floor leader of the ruling Grand National Party (GNP). "The last thing
we want is for this issue to turn into a source of confrontation with opposition
parties."
Hong's remarks indicate a change in the party's initial plan to pass the deal
before Nov. 17 when a group of lawmakers will visit Washington to meet with Obama
aides.
The ruling GNP, controlling an absolute majority of 172 seats in the 299-member
unicameral house, has been throwing its support behind prompt approval of the
pact, believing it will boost the economic initiatives of the Lee Myung-bak
government, which has been troubled by growing economic uncertainty.
Boycotting Wednesday's public forum on FTA, prepared by the parliamentary foreign
affairs committee, opposition parties pressed the ruling party to scrap its plan
completely.
"The ruling party might be coming to its senses finally. We must take all the
time we need to first prepare sufficient countermeasures for the agriculture
sector which may face massive loses once the pact takes effect," said Chung
Sye-kyun, chairman of the main opposition Democratic Party.
Business groups here want early ratification of the agreement, complaining that
the delay is causing heavy losses to South Korean exporters of manufactured goods
to the world's biggest market.
Farmers, however, are demanding sufficient compensation and countermeasures,
fearing they will not be able to compete with cheaper imported products once the
deal is finalized.
The FTA issue is also causing disputes between the incumbent Lee government and
former President Roh Moo-hyun who signed the deal last year.
While Roh claims Seoul should prepare for a possible renegotiation with
Washington, the Lee government has pressed lawmakers to speed up ratification,
stressing revision of the pact is out of question.
Obama, who will become the United States' first African-American leader, is
fundamentally pro-free trade but views the deal with South Korea as flawed,
especially in the auto trade sector.
hayney@yna.co.kr
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