Ruling party leader asks US not to press Korea over FTA
Ruling Democratic Party of Korea Chairwoman Rep. Choo Mi-ae shakes hands with U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer during her visit to Lighthizer’s office in Washington, D.C, Thursday. / Yonhap
By Yi Whan-woo
Ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) Chairwoman Rep. Choo Mi-ae has asked the United States not to push South Korea too hard regarding the allies’ renegotiation of the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA).
Speaking before members of the U.S. Congressional Korea Caucus in Washington, D.C., Thursday (local time), Choo said, “South Korea is in an extremely difficult situation and the timing of pressing us too hard without drawing a bigger picture would not be appropriate.”
She argued North Korea’s military threats will continue to escalate through next year while South Korea is in “emotional hardship” as China ends its economic retaliation over deployment of a U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery here.
“Given this circumstance, U.S. pressure will make South Korea’s situation more extreme and I ask for U.S. understanding over the matter,” Choo said.
Her comment during a breakfast with the Korea Caucus members came after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to scrap the KORUS FTA and the two sides began renegotiation, accordingly.
The DPK leader is on a six-day visit to the U.S. that started Tuesday to meet relevant American officials and discuss a wide range of subjects including the Seoul-Washington alliance, North Korea’s nuclear threats and the KORUS FTA.
During a meeting with Korean correspondents in Washington, D.C, Wednesday, Choo said scrapping the FTA can be an option if the U.S makes unreasonable demands.