ROK-U.S. trade talks slated for Mar. 28

South Korea and the United States will this month hold their first round of trade talks since U.S. President George W. Bush took office, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said Sunday. The talks will be held on Mar. 28 in Washington. Minister for trade of Korea Hwang Doo-Yun and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Zoellick will represent their governments at the talks.

Minister Hwang will exchange views with Zoellick on pending trade issues involving steel and car exports and intellectual property rights among others, ministry officials said. Hwang will also outline Seoul`s position on Korea Development Bank`s takeover of Hyundai Electronics Industries` corporate bonds. He will also meet with U.S. Commerce Secretary Donald Evans and U.S. Congress members specializing in trade.

Ha Tae-Won scooop@donga.com