The US intention on restarting discussions on the yet to be ratified Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with South Korea were quickly rebuffed by Korean trade minster, Kim Jong Hoon who indicated that no revisions will be made.

The US President announced he would have his administration engage with their Korean counterparts in order to have a revised trade agreement ready for the next G20 summit in November this year. It was the first time the US has provided a timeline on the Korea-US FTA, which was signed under the Bush administration in June 2007, but not progressed due to US concerns over access to the Korean market for American beef and automobiles.

Korean trade minster Kim Jong Hoon responded to Obama's comments by explaining that any further consultations regarding the FTA would only be held on a "working level", as both countries have previously agreed on everything else.

The largest trade union in the US, the American Federation of Labour and Congress of Industrial Organisations, also expressed opposition to the ratification of the current agreement. The union is seeking improved access to the Korean market for US automobiles and beef - the latter being restricted by Korea only importing US beef from cattle under 30 months old due to fear of mad cow disease.