Civic organizations criticize S.K.-U.S. free trade talks
Hankyoreh, Korea
Civic organizations criticize S.K.-U.S. free trade talks
Groups say Seoul has not been forthcoming with information
3 July 2006
The People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy and the Lawyers for a Democratic Society, two of South Korea’s most influential civic groups, urged the government to publicize the content and proceedings of its ongoing talks with the United States for a proposed free trade agreement (FTA).
In a press conference on July 3, the civic groups accused the government of proceeding with the talks in a nondemocratic manner.
“The government is losing the people’s trust by not publicizing any part of the agreement reached with the U.S. during the first round of talks,” the groups said.
The groups also criticized the National Assembly for neglecting its duty to step in and block the government’s actions.
“The government’s future negotiating schedule should be blocked until a set of legal, institutional measures for publicizing the results of the first round of talks is agreed upon,” the groups said.
“We will align ourselves with all civic organizations to prevent national devastation as a result of the government’s irresponsible push for a free trade accord with the U.S.,” the groups said.
