American lawmakers ask Trump to keep Korus

WASHINGTON - A bipartisan group of American lawmakers urged President Donald Trump on Thursday to keep the U.S. free trade agreement with South Korea amid a deepening security crisis on the Korean Peninsula.

In a letter addressed to the president, four co-chairs of the Congressional Caucus on Korea underscored the importance of a tight alliance in the wake of North Korean provocations, including its sixth nuclear test Sunday.

Trump was earlier reported to be planning a withdrawal from the five-year-old trade pact. But following the nuclear test, the White House allegedly put this plan on hold.

“The recent destabilizing and defiant actions by North Korea, in clear violation of numerous U.N. Security Council resolutions, must be met with strength and resolve,” said the letter, written by Republican Reps. Peter Roskam of Illinois and Mike Kelly of Pennsylvania, as well as Democratic Reps. Ami Bera of California and Gerry Connolly of Virginia.

“At the same time, we must conduct our foreign and national security policy in a manner that eliminates the North Korean nuclear threat while averting war on the Korean Peninsula,” it said. “To this end, it is pivotal we uphold our commitments to the Republic of Korea - a U.S. treaty ally - and endeavor through our alliance to maintain peace and prosperity on the Peninsula, in the region, and beyond.”

The Korea-U.S. free trade agreement, known as Korus, has achieved its goal of expanding bilateral trade, and its shortcomings must be addressed through modifications, the lawmakers noted.

“We must recognize that we cannot jeopardize our alliance through these negotiations or by unilaterally withdrawing from Korus at this precarious moment,” they said, referring to the bilateral talks that got under way last month. “Trade and security go hand in hand,” the letter added. “Any negotiations must factor in the importance of strengthening our relationship with South Korea and maintaining a united front against North Korea.”

Yonhap