By Na Jeong-ju
Staff Reporter
Cabinet approved a bill on the Korea-U.S. free trade agreement (KORUS FTA), Tuesday, and said it will submit it to the National Assembly soon to seek ratification.
The decision comes amid rising public protests over the government's decision to resume American beef imports. President Lee Myung-bak publicly acknowledged on June 19 that he decided to reopen the beef market to the United States to push for an early ratification for the trade deal.
The Lee administration had sought approval before the legislature ended its four-year term on May 29, but failed largely due to the negative public sentiment toward the beef deal and a boycott by opposition lawmakers.
``As the National Assembly has started its new term, the government wants to submit the bill on KORUS FTA again to achieve a ratification,'' an official of the Office of the Prime Minister said. ``We hope the Assembly will start debates as soon as possible and pass the bill, which is mutually beneficial for the two allies.''
Cabinet instructed related ministries to step up efforts to raise public understanding on the FTA, the official said.
According to a document made by the Ministry of Strategy and Finance, the Lee government believes early passage of the deal at the Assembly will lead to U.S. ratification before George W. Bush leaves the White House in January.
The Korean government has maintained that early ratification of the FTA would provide crucial momentum for the country's planned trade negotiations with the European Union, Canada and other countries.
Most experts agree there is little likelihood for the U.S. Congress to ratify the KORUS FTA this year because of the presidential election slated for Nov. 4.
The Lee administration held additional negotiations with the United States to address safety issues regarding its resumption of beef imports, but protests have grown again.
The police have taken a harder line against protesters, raiding the offices of protest organizers and detaining more than 130 people. Prosecutor General Lim Chai-jin said Monday violent radicals have stirred up the candlelight vigils, originally sparked by fears of mad cow disease.
During a Cabinet meeting Tuesday, Prime Minister Han Seung-soo said violent street rallies are harming the country's international credibility and driving investors away.