ID :
41876
Wed, 01/21/2009 - 10:41
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/41876
The shortlink copeid
Korea-U.S. FTA likely to be ratified under Obama gov't: Park Jin
By Hwang Doo-hyong
WASHINGTON, Jan. 20 (Yonhap) -- A senior South Korean lawmaker Tuesday predicted
that a free trade deal between South Korea and the U.S. will be ratified under
the new Barack Obama administration although it may take some time.
"The Korea-U.S. FTA will be eventually ratified under the Obama administration in
consideration of the deal's importance and the disposition of the Obama
government, although the FTA appears to be sidelined due to the ongoing economic
crisis being a top priority," said Rep. Park Jin of the ruling Grand National
Party.
Park, head of the National Assembly foreign affairs committee, attended Obama's
swearing-in ceremony here in a private capacity.
"President Obama is not an anti-trade figure, and many high-ranking officials of
the Obama administration are open to free trade," he said, but added that the new
U.S. government will for the time being prioritize the current economic crisis,
energy and tax and medicare reform.
Park urged the South Korean legislature to approve the FTA in advance of the U.S.
Congress "so we can build momentum for ratification of the Korea-U.S. FTA."
"The Korea-U.S. FTA would provide not only a breakthrough for the revival of our
economy, which is dependent on exports, but also be a core element in resolving
the current economic slump," he said.
He denounced South Korea's major opposition party for occupying the National
Assembly hall late last month to prevent deliberation of the FTA and other bills.
"We should not tolerate any violations of the law or violence that destroys
democracy," he said.
U.S. Secretary of State-designate Hillary Clinton last week proposed
renegotiation of the free trade deal with South Korea, citing an imbalance in
auto trade and restrictions in beef shipments.
"If the South Koreans are willing to re-engage negotiations on these vital
provisions of the agreement, we will work with them to get to resolution,"
Clinton told a Senate confirmation hearing.
Clinton was echoing Obama's opposition to the free trade agreement with South
Korea, still awaiting congressional approval after it was signed in June 2007.
Clinton called on South Korea to provide "genuine improvements" in the auto
industry and other market sectors.
Bush administration officials have forecast that the deal will boost the U.S. GDP
by US$10 billion to $12 billion annually, helping the U.S. economy recover from
the current economic recession.
hdh@yna.co.kr
(END)
WASHINGTON, Jan. 20 (Yonhap) -- A senior South Korean lawmaker Tuesday predicted
that a free trade deal between South Korea and the U.S. will be ratified under
the new Barack Obama administration although it may take some time.
"The Korea-U.S. FTA will be eventually ratified under the Obama administration in
consideration of the deal's importance and the disposition of the Obama
government, although the FTA appears to be sidelined due to the ongoing economic
crisis being a top priority," said Rep. Park Jin of the ruling Grand National
Party.
Park, head of the National Assembly foreign affairs committee, attended Obama's
swearing-in ceremony here in a private capacity.
"President Obama is not an anti-trade figure, and many high-ranking officials of
the Obama administration are open to free trade," he said, but added that the new
U.S. government will for the time being prioritize the current economic crisis,
energy and tax and medicare reform.
Park urged the South Korean legislature to approve the FTA in advance of the U.S.
Congress "so we can build momentum for ratification of the Korea-U.S. FTA."
"The Korea-U.S. FTA would provide not only a breakthrough for the revival of our
economy, which is dependent on exports, but also be a core element in resolving
the current economic slump," he said.
He denounced South Korea's major opposition party for occupying the National
Assembly hall late last month to prevent deliberation of the FTA and other bills.
"We should not tolerate any violations of the law or violence that destroys
democracy," he said.
U.S. Secretary of State-designate Hillary Clinton last week proposed
renegotiation of the free trade deal with South Korea, citing an imbalance in
auto trade and restrictions in beef shipments.
"If the South Koreans are willing to re-engage negotiations on these vital
provisions of the agreement, we will work with them to get to resolution,"
Clinton told a Senate confirmation hearing.
Clinton was echoing Obama's opposition to the free trade agreement with South
Korea, still awaiting congressional approval after it was signed in June 2007.
Clinton called on South Korea to provide "genuine improvements" in the auto
industry and other market sectors.
Bush administration officials have forecast that the deal will boost the U.S. GDP
by US$10 billion to $12 billion annually, helping the U.S. economy recover from
the current economic recession.
hdh@yna.co.kr
(END)
