KORUS FTA Crucial for US’ Asia Strategy

President Lee Myung-bak is saluted by a military attache from the South Korean Embassy upon his arrival at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland, Sunday. Lee is in Washington to attend the two-day Nuclear Security Summit. / Korea Times Photo by Sohn Yong-seok

By Na Jeong-ju
Staff Reporter

President Lee Myung-bak has called on the Obama administration and Congress to step up debate on the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA), saying an early ratification of the deal, signed in 2007, will be crucial for Obama's East Asia strategy.

``The FTA will not only help boost economic ties between Seoul and Washington, but also is strategically important for the U.S. in shaping its future policies regarding Asia,'' Lee said in an interview with The Washington Post, published Monday.

``The U.S. should always keep in mind China, which is growing fast, militarily and economically. The ratification of the KORUS FTA has a much more important meaning than simple economic cooperation between the two allies.''

Lee didn't rule out the possibility that the Obama administration may resort to protectionist measures to support an economic recovery. If that happens, the U.S. influence on the global economy will weaken further, he cautioned.

Obama once called the deal with South Korea ``badly flawed,'' saying it does not adequately address an imbalance in auto trade between the two countries. Many Democrats, in particular, believe auto provisions strongly favor South Korean automakers and demand renegotiation of the trade accord.

President Lee arrived in Washington, D.C. Sunday afternoon (local time) to participate in the Nuclear Security Summit, which will be held on Monday and Tuesday in the U.S. capital.

The summit, hosted by President Obama, will focus on ways to reduce nuclear warheads worldwide and prevent nuclear terrorism. The leaders of 47 nations and representatives from the United Nations, the International Atomic Energy Agency and the European Union will attend the summit.

The interview with the U.S. newspaper was conducted in Seoul last week.

Regarding North Korea's nuclear development program, Lee said the nuclear meeting will help prevent dangerous countries like North Korea and Iran from possessing nuclear weapons.

In the Nuclear Posture Review (NPR), the U.S. roadmap for nuclear policy that was unveiled last week, Washington said it will not deploy or threaten use of nuclear weapons against a country that possesses no nuclear weapons of its own and complies with the nonproliferation treaty and its obligations.

However, the U.S. will exceptionally deal with North Korea and Iran because they are not in compliance with the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty. ``For them, all bets are off. All options are on the table,'' Defense Secretary Robert Gates said.

``The NPR will help prevent the spread of dangerous weapons among North Korea and other nations. It will also help ease security concerns among the Korean people,'' Lee said in the interview.

He called for stronger action by the countries participating in the stalled six-nation talks on the North's nuclear program and the United Nations to pressure the communist country into giving up its nuclear program.

``I don't think North Korea will abandon the program voluntarily. That's why the international community must collaborate on the issue. We need stronger and more effective measures against the North,'' Lee said.

On Monday morning, Lee visited the Korean War Memorial in Washington in memory of the U.S. soldiers killed in the 1950-53 war and met with a group of American war veterans.

He reaffirmed his support for joint projects between Seoul and Washington to mark the 60th anniversary of the outbreak of the war on June 25 and expressed deep gratitude for those who sacrificed themselves to defend South Korea.

Lee also met with U.S. Vice President Joe Biden and U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to discuss issues of mutual interest, including the global financial crisis and climate change, Lee's aides said.

On Monday and Tuesday (local time), he will attend two sessions on nuclear non-proliferation and global terrorist groups. He will depart for Seoul Tuesday afternoon.

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