Korean ambassador promotes trade deal in NC

RALEIGH, NC (AP) — South Korea’s ambassador to the United
States is coming to North Carolina to promote a proposed trade
agreement between the two countries.

Han Duk-soo is scheduled to visit with farmers and business
leaders Tuesday at the State Fairgrounds in Raleigh.

The ambassador has been touring the country to promote an
agreement that would phase out several tariffs, including some on
agricultural products. The trade pact still has to be ratified by
the legislatures of both countries.

South Korea is the fifth largest market for U.S. agriculture,
importing about $5 billion worth of products last year.

President Obama has made ratification a priority, although labor
unions have criticized the terms of the agreement.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)