2nd LD) Seoul says Korea-U.S. FTA must be ratified 'as is'

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By Byun Duk-kun
SEOUL, March 10 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's presidential office called on the
National Assembly Tuesday to ratify the country's free trade agreement (FTA) with
the United States, hours after the nominee for top U.S. trade negotiator said the
deal needs to be renegotiated.
Kim Eun-hye, a spokeswoman for the presidential office, Cheong Wa Dae, said
ratification of the FTA "as it is" would be most beneficial to both countries.
Ron Kirk, the nominee for U.S. trade representative, said in his confirmation
hearing that the current deal with Seoul "simply isn't acceptable" to the U.S.
The bilateral deal was signed in 2007, but the legislatures of both Seoul and
Washington have been unable to pass it due to strong domestic opposition.
South Korea's ruling Grand National Party (GNP) tried to push the Korea-U.S. FTA
bill through the parliamentary committee last week, but was stopped by the main
opposition Democratic Party.
"We will actively explain (to the National Assembly) that the current Korea-U.S.
FTA equally represents the interests of both countries and that it will be
beneficial to both under the current economic difficulties to put the FTA into
effect at an early date," Kim said in a daily press briefing.
Cheong Wa Dae's call for FTA ratification is meant in part to pressure the U.S.
to reciprocate.
"South Korea's legislative body will vote on the deal independent of developments
in the U.S.," Rep. Hong Joon-pyo, the GNP's floor leader, told reporters earlier
Tuesday.
The trade deal was signed by the countries' former administrations. New U.S.
President Barack Obama had hinted at possible renegotiation of the deal during
his presidential campaign, claiming the agreement could damage his country's
automobile industry, one of the first sectors hit by the global economic crisis
due to what many observers say is its lack of competitiveness.
Kim refused to comment directly on Kirk's remarks, noting his view does not yet
represent the official stance of the U.S. administration.
"Once he becomes U.S. trade representative and is in a position where he can
represent the official stance of the U.S. government, we will then start our
consultations with him accordingly," she said.
bdk@yna.co.kr
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