By Jane Han
Staff Reporter
U.S. Senator Barack Obama is currently enjoying the edge he has against other candidates running for the White House. But whether it be him, his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton or Republican contender John McCain at the top seat, what difference would it make for the deadlocked Korea-U.S. free trade pact?
Among scattered opinions, chief negotiator for the KORUS FTA, Kim Jong-hoon, optimistically said Friday that Obama will change his negative views on the trade deal if he gets elected.
``The U.S. is now all about the presidential election, and we must take into account that Obama is a politician,'' Kim told a radio show, implying that the public is against the bilateral trade accord, which makes Obama side with their opinion.
The trade expert stressed that former U.S. President Bill Clinton bashed the North American Free Trade Agreement while he was on the campaign trail, but altered his position upon stepping into office.
Although Kim's speculation carries potential, others say the situation is different this time.
With the U.S. economy heading toward recession, rising unemployment and the Democrats _ who are generally against free trade agreements _ likely to control both houses of Congress next year, the passing of such an open-market legislation seems difficult, they say.
``It's not just the Koreans wanting to protect the domestic market,'' said Kwak Soo-jong, a Samsung Economic Research Institute research fellow, specializing in the Korea-U.S. FTA. ``The U.S. is also very concerned about losing their share.''
So far, differences regarding the U.S. beef and automobile issues have obviously staggered the ratification of the deal, which was sealed last June.
But Kwak says there are more problems that must be taken care of within the United States to proceed with the process.
``Politicians have to address these issues, including labor problems, before any decision is made, and this makes a breakthrough harder,'' he said, explaining that the Congressional elections will also interfere with the process.
He said local politicians who will be taking up seats at Congress would side with what their hometown people want, which is no FTA.
``It's the Congress that holds the key to the ratification, so it really doesn't matter who the head of state is,'' said Lee Si-wook, a research fellow at the Korea Development Institute.
Currently, Democrats Obama and Clinton have outwardly expressed discontent of the deal they call ``unbalanced,'' but Republican McCain has supported the bill.
Considering the U.S. political schedule, Kwak said between March and June will be a ``mini opportunity'' for the bill to get a chance of ratification.