Korean Trade Minister Kim Jong-hoon says he is optimistic over the prospects of the Korea-U.S. free trade agreement. While giving a lecture to university students on Tuesday the trade minister said ratification of the bilateral trade pact is not a matter of "yes or no" but rather a matter of "when."

He said that the Obama administration is currently focusing on the agendas of climate change and healthcare reform, but that once those issues are settled he is positive the U.S. will say yes to the ratification of the FTA.

Minister Kim also stressed that export-centric Korea should pursue a more active FTA policy and warned against trade protectionism.