1. The Government of the Republic of Korea welcomes the completion of approval 
process by the United States for the entry into force of the Free Trade Agreement 
between the Republic of Korea and the United States of America (the KORUS FTA), as 
both the House and the Senate passed “the U.S.-Korea FTA Implementation Bill” by an 
overwhelming majority on October 12 (U.S. EST).

 ※ The U.S.-Korea FTA Implementation Bill passed the House of Representatives by a 
vote of 278 to 151 and the Senate by a vote of 83 to 15 on October 12.  The U.S. 
Congressional approval process of the KORUS FTA has been completed just six days 
after the Bill was submitted to the U.S. Congress on October 3.

2. The Government of the Republic of Korea hopes that the motion to consent the 
KORUS FTA ratification, which has been submitted to the Korean National Assembly's 
Standing Committee, will be passed by the Assembly as soon as possible, and that the 
KORUS FTA will enter into force on January 1, 2012.

3. The KORUS FTA, once in force upon the completion of all the necessary procedures 
in both countries, will serve, amid growing global uncertainties, as an opportunity for a 
better access to the U.S. market, which is the world’s largest, and as a cornerstone for 
strengthening both military and economic alliance between Korea and the United States. 

            
            Spokesperson and Deputy Minister for Public Relations of MOFAT

* unofficial translation