A delegation of U.S. trade representatives arrived here Sunday, one day before the start of talks on a free trade agreement between the two countries.
Wendy Cutler, U.S. Assistant Trade Representative, heading a 75-member delegation, arrived at the country's Incheon International Airport shortly after 5 p.m. on a Korean Air flight.
She and 74 other U.S. negotiators are to open a second round of talks on Monday with their South Korean counterparts on the proposed free trade agreement.
The countries are hoping to conclude the negotiations before next July, but they face strong opposition from civic activists.
Over 30,000 South Korean farmers and activists marched down the streets of the South Korean capital on Saturday to protest the start of the five-day talks, while a civic activist group is planning a street rally of some 100,000 protesters on Wednesday, according to police officials.
A group of some 20 activists also held a press conference at the arrival section of the South Korean airport, demanding the sides put off the talks until a national referendum is held on the envisioned South Korea-U.S. FTA.
"The government must stop all of its discussions and negotiations related to the FTA and first take democratic steps, such as collecting people's opinions," the group said in a statement.
The second round of negotiations runs through Friday.
Incheon, South Korea, July 9 (Yonhap News)
U.S. negotiator arrives in Seoul for talks on free trade agreement |
