Senators calls for Korea FTA talks completion by year-end

Two senior U.S. senators Wednesday called for the conclusion of talks for the ratification of a free trade deal with South Korea by the end of the year so Congress can deliberate it early next year, according to Yonhap News Agency.

Sens. Joe Lieberman (I-CT), chairman of the Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs, and Jim Webb (D-VA), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on East Asian and Pacific Affairs, said in a joint statement, "As strong supporters of the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement, we urge the Obama Administration to redouble its efforts toward reaching a final agreement by the end of the year, so that it can be submitted to the new Congress for approval in early 2011," Yonhap said.

The statement follows a similar one issued by Sen. John Kerry (D-MA), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Monday that said, "In spite of today's polarized political environment, bipartisan cooperation on KORUS is attainable in the next Congress."