U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk has notified Congress that his office has concluded all preparations for the ratification of the South Korea-U.S. free trade agreement (FTA).

Kirk made the statement in a letter sent to top lawmakers, including House Ways and Means Committee Chairman David Camp.

In the letter, Kirk added that his office is ready to hold technical consultations with legislators on the drawing up of a draft bill for implementing the trade pact.

Kirk had earlier said that he plans to submit to Congress a bill on implementing the trade pact by early this month. But such efforts were delayed as the Democratic and Republican parties are focused on passing a budget plan for fiscal year 2011.