S. Korea reaffirms beef issue not on table in FTA talks
By Lee Chi-dong
SEOUL, Nov. 10 (Yonhap) -- South Korea will risk indefinitely delaying the conclusion of a free trade agreement (FTA) with the United States if Washington insists on an "unacceptable" demand that Seoul opens its market wider to U.S. beef, a senior government official said Wednesday.
Seoul stuck to its firm stance as top trade officials from the two sides continued third-day negotiations here with the aim of reaching a deal before President Lee Myung-bak and his American counterpart Barack Obama hold one-on-one talks Thursday on the sidelines of a G-20 economic summit in Seoul.
South Korea and the U.S. signed the FTA in 2007, but the U.S. has been calling for "additional discussions" on automobile and beef trade before sending the pact to Congress for ratification.
The two sides reportedly narrowed differences over auto issues, as Seoul hinted at its plan to ease regulations on fuel efficiency and gas emissions, which should help U.S. carmakers expand exports to South Korea.
But the beef issue is emerging as a possible deal-breaker, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. South Korea currently limits U.S. beef imports to those from cattle less than 30 months old due to fear of mad cow disease.
The U.S. is putting strong pressure on South Korea to discuss the beef issue, but Seoul remains firm in its position that it is not negotiable, the official said.
"A big frame of principles and direction related to the FTA discussions has been already set," the official said. "A firm position of President Lee Myung-bak and the government is that no concession can be made on the beef issue even if we are unable to reach a deal on the FTA."
