The head of a private economic think tank has called for signing a free trade agreement with the United States, China and Japan.

The head of Samsung Economic Research Institute, Chung Ku-hyun, told an economic forum that South Korea and Japan need to wrap up negotiations for a free trade agreement within two to three years.

Chung also said South Korea must gradually push forward with a free trade pact with the United States and China, saying such an agreement is unavoidable for further development of the nation's economy.

The economic forum was jointly organized by four major economic organizations, including the Federation of Korean Industries.