(영자신문 사설) Follow-up is more important for Korea-U.S. FTA

국내 영자신문 사설입니다. 국내 사건 혹은 우리가 잘 아는 국제 사건을 다루고 있으므로 영어실력이 딸려도 충분히 추측하며 볼 수 있습니다.

초중급 정도의 실력에서는 징검다리 역할을 하는 이런 글을 많이 보시는 것이 실력향상에 아주 유리합니다. 단어는 절대 찾지 마시고 그냥 추측하며 읽으시기 바랍니다.

커스를 단어 위에 대기만 하면 발음과 뜻을 보여주는 다음사전 정도는 사용해도 좋습니다. 그러나 이것도 너무 자주 사용 하시면 곤란합니다. 죽죽 읽는 데 방해가 될 정도면 안됩니다. 독해는 연구하듯이 한 문장을 오래 붙들고 있으면 절대 오래 못 갑니다. 죽죽 진도가 나가야 됩니다. 모르더라도 그냥 지나가는 희생이 반드시 필요합니다. 이것이 가장 중요합니다. 이것만 하시면 분명 성공합니다.


 
(Yonhap Editorial) Follow-up is more important for Korea-U.S. FTA

SEOUL, Nov. 23 (Yonhap) -- The South Korea-U.S. free trade agreement, better known as KORUS FTA, has passed the Korean parliament, four years and four months after its signing. It was passed in chaos -- a hastily called plenary session, a blitzkrieg vote, and tear gas sprayed by an opposition legislator to block its passage. The ruckus has shown, again, the sorry state of the country's politics.

   But the dice has been thrown. Time-wasting debate is of no use. We have to funnel our full efforts to follow-up measures to minimize the losses and maximize the benefits of this FTA with the United States.

   The FTA, once it takes effect, will reciprocally remove tariffs. It means unlimited competition with the U.S. market. Unless we prepare and strategize scrupulously, the FTA can turn into a crisis, rather than a new opportunity.
Reports by state research organizations paint a rosy picture. They say that with the KORUS FTA, South Korea's gross domestic product will grow 5.66 percent over the next 10 years, some 350,000 new jobs will be created in the services industry, and people will reap benefits equivalent to 32.19 billion won (US$27.98 million) over the next decade from lowered import prices and wider product choices. The reports also predict an annual increase of up to $3.2 billion in foreign direct investment.

   The figures portray the FTA as a powerful new growth engine for the country's economy, which has been shaken by the European financial crisis. We have to be careful, however, not to overlook the stark divide between those industries that stand to benefit and those who do not. Major export goods, such as automobiles and electronics, may be able to raise their price competitiveness and garner a bigger market. But losses in the food and agricultural industries seem unavoidable. Unless we are cautious, the FTA could widen the gap between industries.

   The biggest damage is expected to agriculture, fisheries and livestock industries. Initial estimates are of production reductions to the value of 12.2 trillion won in agriculture and 400 billion won in fisheries over the next 15 years, translating into a yearly decrease of 844.5 billion won. President Lee Myung-bak said Wednesday he hopes for the KORUS FTA to be an opportunity for these industries to enhance their competitiveness. In order for that to happen, the government has to hurry with specific steps to help them improve.

   It will be the same for other industries as well. When the services market opens, the competition may become too fierce for small businesses to survive. Systemized support, effective deregulation and other follow-up measures are urgently needed to help such businesses.

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