Tough times ahead for Korea-Chile FTA

A joint panel of lawmakers and administration officials called Monday for the exclusion of such commodities as grapes, apples, pears and plums from a free trade accord (FTA) being negotiated with Chile. The ruling party-administration meeting was attended by legislators and other officials in charge of foreign affairs, economy and trade and agricultural policies.

In the event the demand for exceptions is rejected, the National Assembly would not consent to the free trade agreement`s ratification, Millennium Democratic Party deputy spokesman Jeong Jang-Seon said. During a subsequent meeting of the party`s Supreme Council, most members supported the exclusion of farm products -- the leading opponent being Rep. Kim Keun-Tae.

The predominantly negative position on the FTA with Chile, which would be the nation`s first with a foreign country, bodes ill for the future of similar bilateral trade agreements. The Chilean government insists that it would have to impose similar restrictions on Korean manufactured goods if Korea excludes its agricultural commodities from the free trade pact.

Having returned from a trip to Chile in January, National Assembly Speaker Lee Man-Sup had told President Kim Dae-Jung that a decisive step needs to be taken with regard to the proposed FTA.

Yoon Young-Chan yyc11@donga.com