Top trade officials of South Korea and the United States have discussed the possible adoption of a bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) and other pending trade and economic issues.

Trade Minister Kim Hyung-jong met with U.S. Trade Representative Robert Zoellick in Washington and explained Seoul's policies on economic reform and FTAs. Kim asked for Washington's understanding and support toward Seoul's liberalization of its economy.

The U.S. side, on its part, raised concern over trade disputes involving oranges, beef, communications, intellectual property and automobiles.

Zoellick also expressed hope that bilateral negotiations on the opening of South Korea's rice market would conclude at an early date.

South Korea has banned imports of U.S. oranges produced in some parts of the state of California out of fear that shipments of the fruit could introduce harmful insects into the country.

The South Korean Embassy in Washington said that Kim and Zoellick had agreed on the need to continuously study the issue of signing a bilateral FTA in a bid to further develop economic and trade relations between the two countries.