U.S. approval of a long-delayed trade deal with South Korea would help President Barack Obama meet his goal of doubling exports over the next five years and create as many as 72,000 American jobs, Reuters quoted South Korea's ambassador to the United States as saying today. "I hope you all will join me in letting President Obama, Commerce Secretary (Gary) Locke and U.S. Trade Representative (Ron) Kirk know of your fervent desire to see this agreement submitted to Congress, approved and put into force," Ambassador Han Duk-soo said in the prepared text of remarks to a business group in New York. The administration of former President George W. Bush signed the free trade deal with South Korea in June 2007 but was unable to persuade the Democratic-controlled Congress to approve the trade deal before leaving office. Obama has said he wants to work with South Korea to fix problems with the KORUS (Korea-U.S.) pact. But until late last year, Seoul had refused to revisit auto provisions of the agreement that Obama and many other Democrats complain do not do enough to open South Korea's market to U.S. cars. Many farm state lawmakers also want Seoul to take extra steps to open its market to U.S. beef. -- SPA
