Labor-minded lawmakers end hunger strike on last day of FTA talks

Nine anti-globalization lawmakers ended their five-day hunger strike against free trade talks between South Korea and the United States Friday. Held in Seoul, the talks have been dogged by persistent protests throughout the week.

Protests against the proposed trade deal have been a daily occurrence, but most have ended peacefully. The protesters, mostly farmers and workers, argued that a signed deal would pour cheaper U.S. products into the country, threatening their livelihoods.

On Tuesday, police estimated that 3,000 protesters took part in a march that stopped a few hundred kilometers from the hotel where the talks were held. A similar number of riot police were deployed to ensure the protesters were kept away from the hotel.

"A free trade agreement would only gobble up our country, leaving us with nothing to gain but everything to lose," the lawmakers of the minor Democratic Labor Party said in a statement officially ending their hunger strike. "But our fight is not over."

The South Korean government has deployed 15,000 riot police nationwide to shield the talks against massive protests since Monday when the talks began.

Government officials have feared that fierce protests could hamper their free trade talks with the U.S., and vowed to deal sternly with any violent attempt to stall the negotiation.

Last November, vociferous anti-FTA demonstrations organized by civic groups caused 63 people to be injured, including 35 police officers, and caused heavy property damage, according to police figures.

Seoul and Washington are expected hold their next round of free trade talks in February, according to officials.

Washington's chief negotiator for the talks told a news conference Friday that the two countries have made "important progress" in their lastest round, and expressed hope of clinching the proposed deal in the next meeting.

Time is running short for the negotiators. A deal must be reached before U.S. President George W. Bush's "fast-track" trade promotion authority expires on July 1. Under the authority, U.S. negotiators have until April 2 to submit a deal.

The deal is also subject to approval by the South Korean legislature.

Seoul, Jan. 19 (Yonhap News)