Promoting China-Japan-S. Korea FTA negotiations is 'natural' (3)

During the series of meetings of East Asian leaders in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, he said, not only did the two countries' trade ministers hold talks, but also South Korean President Lee Myung-bak and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao held a meeting, with both sides believing bilateral negotiations for a FTA should be propelled.

"In my opinion, the economic and trade relations between South Korea and China right now is more active and closer than ever before," Bark said. "As a consequence, we should focus on promoting the South Korea-China FTA. The agreement cannot be reached in one or two days, but I hope it will be finalized in a short time."

Since the two countries' FTA negotiations started in early May, four rounds of talks have been held. A fifth round was expected to be started in as early as January.

Bark said the two sides have a big divergence on the division of general products and sensitive products.

"I have made a consensus with Chinese Commerce Minister Chen Deming at this meeting. We should shore up the South Korea-China FTA as soon as possible, and try to make some progress at the fifth meeting next year," he said.

Bark said the two countries are members of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and South Korea and China should make a FTA with "good role model."

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