The Wall Street Journal says U.S. President Barack Obama is expected to submit to Congress a free trade agreement (FTA) with South Korea by the end of this month.

In an article titled "Hot Business Issues on Capitol Hill," the journal said the 112th Congress will test whether the U.S. can move ahead with new trade deals after a long dormant spell.

The article says Obama's submission of the South Korean FTA to Congress will begin a months-long ratification process.