Cheong Wa Dae rules out renegotiation of FTA with U.S.

By Byun Duk-kun
SEOUL, Nov. 20 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's presidential office Cheong Wa Dae again
ruled out the possibility of any changes to the Korea-U.S. free trade agreement
(FTA), saying Friday the country will raise its own concerns should the U.S.
demand a renegotiation of the deal signed over two years ago.

"If we do ever have to discuss the issue in the auto industry with the U.S., we
will make sure there are discussions about the agricultural sector where we have
our own complaints," a Cheong Wa Dae official said, asking not to be identified.
The remarks came one day after President Lee Myung-bak in a joint press
conference with visiting U.S. President Barack Obama said Seoul was willing to
"talk" with the U.S. about the latter's concerns on potential damage to the
American auto industry from the enactment of the FTA.
Seoul's trade minister Kim Jong-hoon on Thursday said the president's remarks
only meant the country was willing to discuss the issue.
"It just means if they say there are problems, we are willing to listen," Kim
told reporters.
"But I believe most of the problems they (the U.S.) prepare and bring to us, if
they do, will be those that can be addressed by simple explanations," Kim said.
The president's remarks, however, started speculations that Seoul has offered to
renegotiate the trade deal.
"It is a mistake for the government to suggest a stance that it may accept a call
for renegotiation of the Korea-U.S. FTA. The party will never accept a
renegotiation," the chief of the main opposition Democratic Party, Rep. Chung
Sye-kyun, said Friday.
The U.S., especially its Congress, has frequently talked about a reopening the
FTA since it was signed in June 2007, citing feared damages to the country's
automobile industry. But Seoul has repeatedly dismissed the possibility, noting
it, too, had to accept potential negative repercussions to its own economy,
especially in the agricultural sector.
"If we rewrite the document, that is a renegotiation. It is the government's
policy that we will not change the agreement," the Cheong Wa Dae official said.
bdk@yna.co.kr
(END)