President Lee calls opposition leaders seeking support for KORUS FTA ratification

President Lee Myung-bak on Friday placed calls to senior representatives of opposition political parties, seeking their cooperation in ratifying South Korea's free trade agreement with the U.S., sources said.

They said Lee spoke on the phone with five opposition members: Kim Jin-pyo, floor leader of the main opposition Democratic Party; Hong Jae-hyong, a DP representative and a vice speaker at National Assembly; Woo Yoon-keun, also a DP legislator who heads the parliamentary standing committee on legislation and judiciary; Choi In-kee, a DP lawmaker and the head of the parliamentary committee on agriculture and food; and Sim Dae-pyung, chairman of the minority conservative Liberty Forward Party.

The U.S. Congress passed the deal last week during Lee's state visit to Washington. The DP has been pressing for additional safeguards for local industries before agreeing to ratify the trade pact. Earlier Friday, the government and the ruling Grand National Party agreed to work together to pass the FTA next week.

According to sources, Lee urged Kim to "make a logical choice" on the FTA issue.

"Whether it's about small and medium businesses or about farmers, the government is prepared to accept solutions as long as political parties come on the same page," Lee was quoted as saying.

"It may be a crisis for agriculture but it can be turned into an opportunity to bolster our competitiveness. We can make investments in research and development and develop agriculture."

The president also told the DP floor leader that in order for the FTA to take effect on Jan. 1 next year, political parties "should speed up a little," according to sources.

"There were legislators who opposed the deal in the U.S., but they adhered to proper steps," Lee was quoted as saying. "When I gave a speech at the joint Congressional session (on the significance of the FTA with the U.S.), those who disapproved of the deal still congratulated me."

Sources said Hong thanked the president for the call but told him he would not alter his stance against the FTA. They said Woo told Lee that he doesn't want political differences to degenerate into another brawl on the floor of parliament.

According to sources, Kim Hyo-jae, senior political affairs secretary, acted as the liaison between the president and opposition legislators.

A key official at Cheong Wa Dae said Lee's calls seeking cooperation were "quite significant" since they showed his "consideration for political opponents." (Yonhap News)