2007年VOA标准英语-South Korea Releases 1,200-Page Trade Deal With

South Korea's government has released the full text of a trade liberalization deal with the United States. Supporters and opponents of the controversial agreement are now searching the 1,200-page document for ammunition¹ in a mounting political battle over whether the deal should be ratified². VOA's Kurt Achin reports from Seoul.

South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo told business leaders in Seoul Friday the full text of the South Korea - U.S. Free Trade Agreement is now open for discussion.

"So we are subject to any comments - any support, or any criticism that our people, our academia, and members of our National Assembly can put forward," he said.

South Korean and U.S. officials say the deal will reinvigorate the two countries' already robust³ $70 billion a year trade relationship, generating high paying jobs and consumer benefits across the board.

However, the deal faces intense and emotional opposition⁴ from many South Koreans, who fear the much larger U.S. economy will crush entire sectors⁵ of South Korean production. Many South Koreans say Friday's release of the deal's details comes far too late. They say the government failed to consult the public adequately during 10 months of intense negotiation⁶ before the deal announcement in early April.

Kim Jong-Hoon, South Korea's chief negotiator in FTA talks with the United States, shows documents during a news conference in Seoul, 25 May 2007

The agreement stipulates⁸ that President Bush and South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun must sign it by the end of June. Prime Minister Han says the legislative⁹ debate will begin soon after that.

"We will submit to the National Assembly for the ratification¹⁰ process as soon as possible - so, maybe it will take one month after the signing," he said.

Exactly when the legislatures in the two countries will each bring the deal to a ratification vote remains¹¹ a matter of speculation¹². However, some experts say it is possible there will be a vote before President Roh's term ends in January.

Negotiators say the deal may also be slightly adjusted to reflect policies of the new Democratic Party majority in the U.S. Congress. Democratic lawmakers are seeking stronger environmental and labor¹³ protections in trade agreements.