SEOUL, March 26 (UPI) -- South Korea will let free-trade talks with the United States fail rather than make unacceptable concessions, chief negotiator Kim Jong-hoon said Monday.
Seoul will risk "the breakdown of talks" if the negotiations fail to meet Seoul's expectations, Kim said.
"We've repeatedly demanded that the (United States) give some benefits to Korean exporters in the anti-dumping and automobile sectors," he said.
Washington wants Seoul to open its ports to more U.S. vessels. South Korean automakers sold about 800,000 cars and trucks in United States last year, while U.S. automakers sold about 5,000 vehicles in South Korea.
Kim said negotiators would do their best "to achieve balance" in the talks, The Korea Times reported.
U.S. delegation chief Karan Bhatia said both sides were working hard toward reaching a deal.
The two countries want to reach a deal by Saturday and get it to the U.S. Congress for a 90-day mandatory review by Monday so it will qualify under U.S. President George W. Bush's "fast track" trade promotion authority, which expires July 1.
The fast-track authority lets him send trade agreements to Congress for straight yes-or-no votes without amendments.
