ID :
49004
Thu, 03/05/2009 - 05:01
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/49004
The shortlink copeid
(ATTN: RECASTS headline, lead; UPDATES with envoy's additional
SEOUL, March 4 (Yonhap) -- The new South Korean envoy to the U.S. welcomed on Wednesday Washington's reaffirmed commitment to advance the ratification of a hard-won bilateral trade pact, but admitted that a bumpy road lies ahead.
"I think more time and effort than initially expected will be needed to get the
free trade agreement (FTA) ratified in both countries," Han Duck-soo told
reporters here. He will depart for Washington to take up his post on Monday.
The FTA, which was signed in June 2007 after 14 months of intensive negotiations,
is one of the hottest bilateral issues between the time-honored allies.
Ratification of the pact by the South Korean National Assembly and the U.S.
Congress has been delayed due to a strong backlash from critics and the current
economic slump.
In South Korea, the ruling Grand National Party wants to ratify the deal as soon
as possible but left-leaning opposition parties have called for more discussion
on its terms, citing concerns over agricultural trade.
The envoy said the U.S. mood towards the FTA has improved in recent days.
Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said Tuesday in Washington his government
will "work carefully" with Congress toward the ratification of pending FTAs with
South Korea, Colombia and Panama.
On Monday, the U.S. said in a Trade Representative policy report that the
administration of President Barack Obama will "will promptly, but responsibly,
address the issues surrounding the Colombia, Korea and Panama free trade
agreements."
Geithner's comments and the report show that South Korea and the U.S. agree on
the need and usefulness of the FTA, Han said.
"Since various conditions are changing, we are in a dilemma over how to make the
FTA more satisfying to the people and interested parties of the two nations," he
said.
The ambassador, a former prime minister and veteran economic policy maker,
emphasized that the FTA would promote job creation, facilitate economic growth
and enhance economic transparency through the expansion of trade and investment.
He also said the allies have successfully dealt with thorny issues in the past
through dialogue.
"I will endeavor to smoothly handle pending South Korea-U.S. alliance issues such
as the transfer of wartime operational control (OPCON) and the relocation of U.S.
military bases (here)," he said.
Han added that he will also focus on coordinating a strategy to rid North Korea
of its nuclear program.
South Korea is supposed to retake the wartime OPCON of its troops from Washington
in 2012 and the U.S. Forces Korea plans to move its troops in Seoul to a
remodeled base south of the capital.
About 28,500 American soldiers are stationed here to support the 680,000-strong
South Korean military which faces 1.1 million North Korean troops across the
border.
lcd@yna.co.kr
(END)
"I think more time and effort than initially expected will be needed to get the
free trade agreement (FTA) ratified in both countries," Han Duck-soo told
reporters here. He will depart for Washington to take up his post on Monday.
The FTA, which was signed in June 2007 after 14 months of intensive negotiations,
is one of the hottest bilateral issues between the time-honored allies.
Ratification of the pact by the South Korean National Assembly and the U.S.
Congress has been delayed due to a strong backlash from critics and the current
economic slump.
In South Korea, the ruling Grand National Party wants to ratify the deal as soon
as possible but left-leaning opposition parties have called for more discussion
on its terms, citing concerns over agricultural trade.
The envoy said the U.S. mood towards the FTA has improved in recent days.
Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said Tuesday in Washington his government
will "work carefully" with Congress toward the ratification of pending FTAs with
South Korea, Colombia and Panama.
On Monday, the U.S. said in a Trade Representative policy report that the
administration of President Barack Obama will "will promptly, but responsibly,
address the issues surrounding the Colombia, Korea and Panama free trade
agreements."
Geithner's comments and the report show that South Korea and the U.S. agree on
the need and usefulness of the FTA, Han said.
"Since various conditions are changing, we are in a dilemma over how to make the
FTA more satisfying to the people and interested parties of the two nations," he
said.
The ambassador, a former prime minister and veteran economic policy maker,
emphasized that the FTA would promote job creation, facilitate economic growth
and enhance economic transparency through the expansion of trade and investment.
He also said the allies have successfully dealt with thorny issues in the past
through dialogue.
"I will endeavor to smoothly handle pending South Korea-U.S. alliance issues such
as the transfer of wartime operational control (OPCON) and the relocation of U.S.
military bases (here)," he said.
Han added that he will also focus on coordinating a strategy to rid North Korea
of its nuclear program.
South Korea is supposed to retake the wartime OPCON of its troops from Washington
in 2012 and the U.S. Forces Korea plans to move its troops in Seoul to a
remodeled base south of the capital.
About 28,500 American soldiers are stationed here to support the 680,000-strong
South Korean military which faces 1.1 million North Korean troops across the
border.
lcd@yna.co.kr
(END)
