US, South Korean officials work on wrapping up trade deal

U.S. and South Korean trade officials are meeting this week to iron out final details for implementing a free trade agreement between the countries. 

Trade officials are meeting on Monday and Tuesday in Washington as part of ongoing discussions that have ramped up since Korea's National Assembly approved the deal on Nov. 22.

The U.S. Trade Representative's office said officials also are working with Colombia and Panama to wrap up all three trade deals "as soon as possible." 

The deals — based on how well the talks go — could be in place on Jan. 1. 

"We’re working closely with each country to ensure requirements are met and agreements are implemented as quickly as possible," U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk said last week.

The trade accord has been the subject of protests in Seoul where people and opposition party members have taken to the streets to oppose the deal they argue favors the United States. 

Congress cleared the deals with South Korea, Panama and Colombia on Oct. 12 — the Korea trade deal is by far the most economically meaningful of the three for the United States and passsage of the deals represented a rare legislative victory. 

Kirk said recently that the Obama administration is moving swiftly forward with a broad trade agenda that includes negotiating the Trans-Pacific Partnership, enforcing U.S. trade agreements and international trade rules while providing leadership at the World Trade Organization.

“We’re doing everything we can to sustain broad-based support and bolster the U.S. trade agenda moving forward," Kirk said.