Mixed Reactions from Korea’s Political Parties on Korea’s New FTA Deal with the U.S.

From Yonhap News:

South Korea's political parties offered mixed reactions to the country's compromise on a trade deal with the United States, with the opposition calling it "humiliating" and vowing to launch a public campaign against it.

The two nations announced a supplementary agreement to change automobile provisions in the free-trade deal signed more than three years ago, removing differences that have blocked parliamentary ratification of the accord in both countries.

The ruling Grand National Party (GNP) welcomed it as a "win-win" for both countries and thus the South's parliament should ratify it as early as possible.

The main opposition Democratic Party, however, said it will never accept the "humiliating" deal.

"We can never pardon the negotiations since the government made too many concessions in a field connected to people's lives and safety," said Park Jie-won, floor leader of the party. "We'll refuse to give parliamentary ratification and launch a national campaign against the deal."

He said his country was hit by North Korea with shells and by the U.S. with the economy, referring to the North's Nov. 23 artillery attack on Yeonpyeong Island near the tense western sea border.

http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/national/2010/12/05/73/0301000000AEN20101205002100315F.HTML