S Korean FM discusses free trade deal with U.S. senators, congressman

South Korean Foreign Minister Kim Sung-hwan met Tuesday with ranking U.S. senators and a congressman to discuss bilateral alliance free trade deal awaiting legislative approval in both countries, the foreign ministry here said.

Kim had a 30-minute meeting with Daniel Inouye, Democratic senator from Hawaii, and Thad Cochran, Republican senator from Mississippi, and separately held a brief 20-minute meeting with Republican Rep. Peter Roskam from Illinois.

Kim and the senators noted progress in the South Korea-U.S. relations. In a meeting with Roskam, who co-chairs a working group of the free trade agreement between the two countries, they agreed the trade pact should be ratified in the near future, according to the ministry.

The visit by the officials will contribute to more robust legislative exchanges between Seoul and Washington, the ministry said.
(Source:xinhua)