SEOUL, March 13 (UPI) -- South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun Tuesday warned Seoul would not clinch a free trade deal with the United States if it does not benefit his country.
"We will not rush for an early and unconditional conclusion" of a free trade agreement with the United States, Roh told his Cabinet ministers. Roh said he has instructed South Korean negotiators "to thoroughly take real economic benefits into consideration in the free trade talks."
"Unless our interests are fully secured, we will not sign the deal," Roh said, noting security and other non-economic factors would never be considered. The United States is Seoul's main security ally, with some 30,000 U.S. troops in South Korea to help deter North Korea.
His warning comes after a week-long tough negotiation aimed at tearing down trade barriers between South Korea and the United States. The eighth round of talks ended in Seoul Monday night without an agreement on the main sensitive sectors such as automobiles, beef and some agricultural products.
The two countries will hold a series of high-ranking meetings in the coming weeks to clear the remaining obstacles.
