Korea-U.S. FTA Looks Doomed

The majority Democratic leadership of the U.S. House publicly announced its opposition to an interim congressional session between the Nov. 4 election and the next new congressional term in next January.

As a result, contrary to the wishes of Seoul and Washington, it will be almost impossible to pass the Korea-U.S. FTA through the Congress within this year.

The Office of House Democratic Majority Leader Steny Hoyer confirmed on Tuesday that Hoyer and Speaker Pelosi oppose a lame-duck session, and that the two leaders will come back to Capitol Hill when the new administration and the Congress get started.

The office also said that Hoyer prefers to deal with the FY 2009 appropriations bill in the 111th Congress next January.

But Hoyer himself did not close the door on a lame-duck session, saying that an urgent matter might warrant it.

triplets@donga.com