By It looks like the US-ROK Free Trade Agreement is dead for yet another year:
Leading senators and a group of former officials are pushing the Obama administration to send a stalled U.S.-South Korean free trade deal to Congress. But with November elections looming, the accord may already be dead this year.
Unemployment is high in this country and few politicians are willing to support trade pacts that many voters believe rob Americans of jobs. Lawmakers also have plenty of other issues, including an overhaul of financial regulations, to fill their agenda this year.
The ambitious deal to cut trade barriers was signed in 2007 but has since languished amid dissatisfaction over a yawning gap in auto trade between the countries. Still, advocates continue to push for the accord to be sent to Congress for a ratification vote, portraying it as potentially a huge export boon for both countries.
Two senior senators, Democrat John Kerry of Massachusetts and Republican Richard Lugar of Indiana, urged President Barack Obama in a letter this month to press ahead with an accord they said would help the United States create jobs and strengthen the countries’ alliance.
The New Beginnings policy study group, comprised mostly of former U.S. officials and diplomats, warned this week in a report that failure to act quickly “will not only hurt the American economy and cost American jobs, but will also reduce U.S. credibility and influence with South Korea and all of East Asia.”
The trade deal also got a boost from Hwang Jang Yop, the highest-ranking North Korean official ever to defect to South Korea. Hwang used a rare trip to Washington in March to voice support for the accord as a way to thwart the North’s efforts to weaken the U.S.-South Korean alliance.
The Democratic Party controls Congress, and Obama has pledged to strengthen trade ties with South Korea. But Obama has yet to push Congress and businesses for the support needed to pass a deal that is more favored by opposition Republicans than by Democrats. [Associated Press]
What I am wondering is why is John Kerry all the sudden supporting the FTA?
5:04 am on May 15th, 2010 1
What I am wondering is why anyone cares about this anymore.
9:10 am on May 15th, 2010 2
Good, Korea sponges enough off the States as it is.
10:07 am on May 15th, 2010 3
Why would anyone sponge off the bankrupt beggar who is soon to be starving?
10:07 am on May 15th, 2010 4
I don't know either. But obviously JohnT cares.
11:21 am on May 15th, 2010 5
Protectionism is what ruined American's manufacturing capacity.
12:37 pm on May 15th, 2010 6
You poor stupid American fools. In two years, you'll be too poor to even log on to this site with hyper inflation eating at your worthless paper currency.
It would be far better to have FTA with Africa, at least they have oil and natural resources to trade with, rather than worthless currency.
JohnT brags about America being #1 in the world. Yeah, number one debtor nation.
In a few years, America will be irrelevant, as a new world alignment will rise. You just never know what it will look like, but one thing's certain, America is not going to be the top gun anymore. You guys abused your power and prevlidge for far too long. 
12:46 pm on May 15th, 2010 7
You're right, Tom. But if it comes to that I guess we'll just invade your countries and take all your sh!t.
12:58 pm on May 15th, 2010 8
And that's why America will try to create another war somewhere – to avert attention. It could be Iran, or it could be North Korea. That is one reason why America will never leave Korea, despite what people here say.
1:01 pm on May 15th, 2010 9
Have it your way. I can live with it.
3:59 pm on May 15th, 2010 10
Why start a war tommy? We already have your land and your women.
Why I don't know. There are better of both else where. 
1:31 pm on May 16th, 2010 11
"You poor stupid American fools. In two years, you’ll be too poor to even log on to this site with hyper inflation eating at your worthless paper currency."
Given the fact that you can't defend your own country from you buddies who would love to come here and steal the spit out of your mouth, and that you depend on American taxpayers to pay for that defense, who is the real fool in your scenario?
Pathetic. First, learn to fight. Then talk shit.