ID :
40715
Wed, 01/14/2009 - 19:13
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/40715
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S. Korean president says FTA will create jobs for Korea, U.S. By Byun Duk-kun
SEOUL, Jan. 14 (Yonhap) -- South Korean President Lee Myung-bak called Wednesday for talks between Seoul and Washington for the ratification of a free trade agreement (FTA) between the countries, saying the FTA will help create jobs for both Korea and the United States, his aide said.
The remarks came only hours after Hillary Clinton, the nominee for U.S. secretary
of state, noted in her Senate confirmation hearing that the U.S. president-elect
remains opposed to the free trade deal, sealed in June 2007.
During his campaign, U.S. President-elect Barack Obama had repeatedly said the
Korea-U.S. FTA is "badly flawed," prompting suspicions here that the new U.S.
administration may demand renegotiation of the deal.
President Lee said later Wednesday that the sides need to hold discussions for
the early ratification of the deal by their respective legislatures, but also
expressed concern that the countries are becoming too protective in the face of
worsening global economic conditions.
"The Korea-U.S. FTA will not reduce the number of jobs in our countries, but
rather help create jobs in both of the countries," Lee was quoted as saying while
meeting with Thomas J. Donohue, president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
"I believe problems surrounding the FTA can be solved if the two sides hold talks
as much as possible," he added, according to his spokeswoman Kim Eun-hye.
Donahue replied with enthusiasm, saying the FTA should and will be ratified, Kim
said in a statement.
The U.S. president-elect is said to be opposed to the trade agreement because he
believes it could deal a serious blow to the already troubled automakers in the
U.S.
Lee said freer trade and exchange between the countries' automobile producers
will better prepare both of them for the future.
"I believe they could secure significant competitiveness if South Korea and the
U.S. work together to develop electric or hybrid cars," he was quoted as saying.
The South Korean president, however, drew a clear line between discussions for
the successful ratification of the deal and talks to renegotiate the terms of the
sealed agreement.
"Every country gets tempted into wanting to return to protectionist measures when
economic conditions get bad, but this can only lead to a serious regression of
the world economy," he said, according to the released statement.
"I believe the U.S. fully understands the need for it to demonstrate its
leadership as the world's largest free economy at the upcoming G-20 summit in
London in April. I believe it would help (the world economy) greatly if the Obama
administration would take the lead," said Lee.
bdk@yna.co.kr
(END)
The remarks came only hours after Hillary Clinton, the nominee for U.S. secretary
of state, noted in her Senate confirmation hearing that the U.S. president-elect
remains opposed to the free trade deal, sealed in June 2007.
During his campaign, U.S. President-elect Barack Obama had repeatedly said the
Korea-U.S. FTA is "badly flawed," prompting suspicions here that the new U.S.
administration may demand renegotiation of the deal.
President Lee said later Wednesday that the sides need to hold discussions for
the early ratification of the deal by their respective legislatures, but also
expressed concern that the countries are becoming too protective in the face of
worsening global economic conditions.
"The Korea-U.S. FTA will not reduce the number of jobs in our countries, but
rather help create jobs in both of the countries," Lee was quoted as saying while
meeting with Thomas J. Donohue, president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
"I believe problems surrounding the FTA can be solved if the two sides hold talks
as much as possible," he added, according to his spokeswoman Kim Eun-hye.
Donahue replied with enthusiasm, saying the FTA should and will be ratified, Kim
said in a statement.
The U.S. president-elect is said to be opposed to the trade agreement because he
believes it could deal a serious blow to the already troubled automakers in the
U.S.
Lee said freer trade and exchange between the countries' automobile producers
will better prepare both of them for the future.
"I believe they could secure significant competitiveness if South Korea and the
U.S. work together to develop electric or hybrid cars," he was quoted as saying.
The South Korean president, however, drew a clear line between discussions for
the successful ratification of the deal and talks to renegotiate the terms of the
sealed agreement.
"Every country gets tempted into wanting to return to protectionist measures when
economic conditions get bad, but this can only lead to a serious regression of
the world economy," he said, according to the released statement.
"I believe the U.S. fully understands the need for it to demonstrate its
leadership as the world's largest free economy at the upcoming G-20 summit in
London in April. I believe it would help (the world economy) greatly if the Obama
administration would take the lead," said Lee.
bdk@yna.co.kr
(END)
