Roh says FTA won’t result in Americanization of Korean society
Yonhap | 2007/02/27
Roh says FTA won’t result in Americanization of Korean society
SEOUL, Feb. 27 (Yonhap) — President Roh Moo-hyun said Tuesday that sealing a proposed free trade agreement (FTA) with the United States will be a golden opportunity for South Korea to take a giant leap forward in the global marketplace.
In an interview with domestic Internet media, the president said an FTA between Seoul and Washington will not lead to the Americanization or polarization of Korean society.
"We’ll gradually increase our voice in relations with the U.S. even after the conclusion of FTA (talks)," the president said.
The president then stressed that his government is determined to open the country’s corporate service market, such as research and development and legal services, to foreign competition.
"Our weakness in the corporate service sector will be aided by the U.S., and South Korea will surely grow into an Asian leader in corporate service and solve its unemployment problem."
"If Japan, for instance, pushes for an FTA with the U.S. ahead of South Korea, we’ll fall into a serious crisis. It’s a golden opportunity for us to advance in the global marketplace. We’re qualified enough to overcome shocks from the market’s opening," said the president.
