SEOUL, March 30 (UPI) -- South Korea and the United States are in the final stage of free-trade negotiations Friday, just hours before a deadline expires.
The two countries are likely to announce the result of the months-long free-trade negotiations early Saturday to meet a March 31 deadline, Seoul officials said.
The last-minute negotiations involve only two top officials from each side: South Korean Trade Minister Kim Hyun-chong and Deputy U.S. Trade Representative Karan Bhatia. Kim said he has been given "final instructions" from South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun.
According to negotiation sources, the two sides may reach a compromise in which Seoul will reopen its beef market in return for Washington's dropping of its demand for wider rice-market opening.
With negotiators close to a deal, some 5,000 anti-FTA protesters staged a candlelight vigil in downtown Seoul. The protestors, including farmers and filmmakers, shouted, "No to FTA!"
