Vote on FTA With US Planned Next Month
By Kang Hyun-kyung
Staff Reporters
Major parties agreed Tuesday to handle a motion to ratify the free trade agreement (FTA) with the United States during a parliamentary session which will open April 25.
The agreement came hours before President Lee Myung-bak arrived in New York for Camp David summit talks with U.S. President George W. Bush April 18-19. This is Lee's first overseas visit since his inauguration Feb. 25.
Despite the agreement, there is a clear distinction between the governing Grand National Party (GNP) and the main opposition United Democratic Party (UDP) on the ratification.
GNP floor leader Ahn Sang-soo said the National Assembly should approve the deal as soon as possible so that the Korean parliament's ratification could put pressure on the U.S. Congress.
``The ratification will certainly serve national interest. Therefore, I hope opposition party members fully cooperate with the GNP for ratification during the one-month parliamentary session,'' he said.
Political observers said the GNP considers the FTA a major tool for job creation whose effect would be even larger than that of tens of bread-and-butter bills combined.
UDP leaders showed a lukewarm attitude toward the ratification, claiming they need more time to prepare post-FTA measures.
Floor leader Kim Hyo-seuk said parliament should map out effective adjustment programs for possible FTA ``victims'' such as farmers.
Recent polls said the FTA will be passed in parliament, but not when.
A Dong-A Ilbo newspaper poll said 39.6 percent of lawmakers-elect said the accord needs to be ratified during the upcoming Assembly session, while 33.3 percent answered legislators need to produce effective adjustment programs to help possible losers before approval.
On the beef issue, the floor leader also made clear his party's opposition to the complete opening of the domestic beef market.
Negotiators of the two countries have resumed talks to narrow differences over the beef issue but failed to reach an agreement. They will hold an extra day of negotiations to try and make a breakthrough.