Korea Times
GNP Rules Out Railroading FTA Ratification
By Kang Hyun-kyung, Staff Reporter
11 November 2008
The governing Grand National Party (GNP) stepped back Tuesday from its plan to pass the Korea-U.S. free trade agreement (KORUS FTA) unilaterally, vowing to make further efforts in drawing bipartisan consensus for the ratification.
However, political analysts forecast that it's going to be tough for the parties to reach a compromise in the near future due to the wide gap between them.
GNP leaders insist that ratification would pressure the U.S. Congress, which will be controlled by protectionist inclined Democrats, to ratify the trade deal as it is.
The largest opposition Democratic Party (DP) and other minor parties, meanwhile, stood firm on their stance that the Assembly should first produce policy assistance for farmers and workers who could be the victims of the trade deal before ratifying the KORUS FTA.
Opposition leaders say there is a possibility that Seoul and Washington might have to sit down again for renegotiations when U.S. President-elect Barack Obama takes office in January.
If this takes place, minor Liberty Forward Party leader Lee Hoi-chang claimed that premature ratification would only be a disservice to the national interest.
Lee also stated that the move could hurt the Korea-U.S. alliance.
GNP floor leader Hong Joon-pyo, who has campaigned for early ratification, backed away from his initial stance, pledging the party would take time and seek dialogue with the opposition.
``The GNP will produce a comprehensive assistance policy package aimed to help farmers and workers. And then we will set up meetings with the opposition parties so as to pass the motion,'' Hong said.
He said that if the GNP, which has 171 seats in the 299-member legislature, resorts to unilateral methods in an effort to push for ratification, it would only worsen inter-party relations.
Rep. Park Jin, chairman of the Assembly Foreign Affairs and Trade Committee, which is handling the motion, expressed a similar view, saying the GNP would sit down with the opposition to reach as bipartisan consensus before Monday.
However, chances of reaching an agreement during the current session seem to be slim as DP lawmakers are divided over the ratification.
The DP has not clarified its official stance, but the majority of party members reportedly hold the view that policy assistance for farmers should come before ratification is discussed.
However, there are hardliners inside the DP, such as Rep. Chun Jung-bae, who make a case for renegotiation.
``Lawmakers of South American countries Peru and Columbia had to pass the FTA with the U.S. twice as the United States demanded that they modify original agreements. We cannot rule out the possibility of the KORUS FTA having the same fate,'' Chun said.
