SEOUL, Jan. 20 (UPI) -- The United States and South Korea have wrapped up a sixth round of free trade talks, with both sides reporting varying degrees of progress.
"We've made a bit of more progress than in the fifth round of talks, but it falls short of expectations. The difference in key issues remains the same as before," Kim Jong-hoon, the chief Korean negotiator, said at a news briefing, the Korea Times reported.
Chief U.S. negotiator Wendy Cutler had a more positive report at her news conference, the Times said.
"We've made important progress this week," Cutler said."We both understand that our success will send an important signal to our trading partners in the region who are watching us closely and around the world that two large countries can conclude a solid and mutually beneficial agreement."
The newspaper reported that Kim said the two sides still disagree on issues that include anti-dumping, automobiles, pharmaceuticals and U.S. beef imports that contain bone fragments.
The negotiators scheduled a seventh round of talks in Washington for Feb. 11 to Feb. 14.
