|
President Roh Moo-hyun on Monday evening said Korea must face the ¡°challenge¡± posed by the just-concluded free trade agreement with the U.S. to make progress. ¡°In order to become a developed nation we must face a challenge,¡± he said. ¡°The FTA is that challenge.¡± Roh stressed the trade pact was an economic issue, not a political or ideological one, since it was a matter of national competitiveness that should not be considered from a nationalistic political viewpoint.
The president said if Korea rejects change just to protect what it already has, as some interest groups are demanding, it will be left behind. He vowed to compensate farmers, who are expected to be the biggest losers from the deal, if they see their income dwindle or are driven out of business due to a surge in imports of agricultural products.
 |
|
President Roh Moo-hyun delivers a special speech following the conclusion of the Korea-U.S. free trade agreement at Cheong Wa Dae on Monday.
|
 |
|
Roh denounced anti-FTA protestors whose ¡°groundless, exaggerated¡± arguments ¡°misled the public¡± and urged them to frame reasonable arguments in the future. Turning to the resumption of U.S. beef imports, Roh said Korea will take procedures to resume imports in line with recommendations by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE). This, he said, was a promise he made to U.S. President George W. Bush in a phone call on March 29 and intended to keep.
Meanwhile, Bush notified Congress with only hours to spare until the deadline that trade talks with Korea have been concluded. In a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the U.S. president said, ¡°The U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement will generate export opportunities for U.S. farmers, ranchers, manufacturers, and service suppliers, promote economic growth and the creation of better-paying jobs in the U.S.¡± He added, ¡°The agreement will also further enhance the strong U.S.-Korea partnership, which has served as a force for stability and prosperity in Asia.¡±
He sent the letter as required by law at least 90 days before ratification under a congressional fast-track authority. Bush added his government looks forward to working with the Congress in developing ¡°appropriate legislation¡± to approve and implement this agreement.
(englishnews@chosun.com )
|
