President Lee Myung-bak asked US Commerce Secretary Gary Locke and a group of members of the House of Representatives on Wednesday to make efforts for the timely ratification of the pending South Korea-US free trade agreement (FTA). Lee requested support in approving the trade deal to allow the public and companies of both nations to enjoy the enormous economic and strategic gains that it would bring.

Those present at the meeting stated that Lee made the comment while saying that the bilateral trade pact is in its final stages.

Locke said that the additional round of FTA talks in December has generated bipartisan support in the US Congress towards the South Korea-US FTA and that he would do his best to push for an early ratification.

The official also said that he hoped South Korea’s parliamentary approval would proceed smoothly as well.

At the meeting, Lee and the US commerce secretary agreed on the need to strengthen cooperation for the development of the South Korea-U.S. alliance and exchanged opinions on the North Korean nuclear issue.