South Korea’s chief trade negotiator says he has rejected the U.S.’ calls to begin a renegotiation of their bilateral free trade agreement(FTA).

[Sound bite: Trade Minister Kim Hyun-chong (Korean)]
"South Korea didn't agree to unilateral calls by the U.S. to revise the FTA. We made it clear that a research, analysis and assessment of the impact of the KORUS FTA by the two sides must be preceded. 
"All decisions of the joint committee require consensus from both parties."  

After negotiators held a meeting to discuss the issue of modifying the bilateral trade deal in Seoul on Tuesday, Seoul's Trade Minister Kim Hyun-chong revealed where the two sides stood on the issue. 

The U.S. during the meeting called for revising the trade deal, citing their trade deficit has doubled since the FTA came into effect, especially in the auto, steel and information technology(IT) sectors.

The minister said that Seoul’s representatives explained the FTA is not the cause of the trade deficit, presenting facts and figures.
 
The U.S. reportedly asked Seoul to faithfully implement FTA regulations regarding automobiles and origin verification.

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