A U.S. expert on Korean affairs says the ratification of a free trade agreement between South Korea and the U.S. will become more likely following the ongoing restructuring of the U.S. auto industry.

In a meeting with Korean correspondents in Washington Tuesday, president of the Korea Economic Institute, Jack Pritchard, said the bilateral trade pact is likely to be ratified next year.

Pritchard said recent drastic restructuring of GM and other changes under way in the U.S. auto industry will make approving the trade pact much easier for Washington.