S Korea awaits US trade deal

US: South Korea is waiting for a US proposal to resolve auto industry concerns over a free trade agreement but is confident of striking a deal before President Barack Obama arrives in Seoul in November for a Group of 20 Summit.

“The discussions will be finished by November 10th, by the time President Obama is going to Korea. “ South Korea’s Ambassador to the United States, Han Duk-soo told the Reuters.

While there is no date for talks to begin, U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk and South Korean Trade Minister Kim Jong-hoon will meet sometime “in the next six weeks,” he said.

Han, a former South Korean Prime Minister, brushed off a suggestion that Seoul was waiting for the outcome of the US congressional election on November 2 before jumping into the talks.

But he did not rule out the possibility of the two sides holding their discussions between the election and the G20 summit of major economies some 10 days later.

“That will depend on the two trade ministers,” Han said. “They will see what will be the most efficient way to do that. So all possibilities may be open.”

Washington, Wednesday, Reuters