A U.S. delegation led by U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke will visit South Korea on Wednesday to discuss the ratification of a bilateral free trade agreement.

The U.S. Commerce Department on Saturday said that the delegation comprising five bipartisan congressmen will stay in Seoul until Friday to pay a courtesy visit to President Lee Myung-bak and meet with senior South Korean government officials and politicians.

The delegation will also visit South Korean firms, hospitals, the demilitarized zone and U.S. troops stationed in South Korea.

The department said that the delegation will have a great opportunity to understand the need for a swift ratification of the FTA with South Korea, noting that four of the delegates are members of the House Ways and Means Committee that deals with trade agreements.

The department also said that the visits to the DMZ and U.S. troops are aimed to stress that the KORUS FTA could significantly contribute to enhancing bilateral economic relations.