By Yoon Woon-sup

Chile expressed appreciation for Seoul’s ratification of the much-delayed ROK-Chile free trade agreement (FTA) on Monday.

Christian Barros, Chilean foreign affairs vice minister, made a phone call to his South Korean counterpart Ban Ki-moon, saying Santiago hailed the passage of the bilateral treaty through the National Assembly as a landmark achievement. Barros made the call on behalf of Chilean Minster of Foreign Affairs Soledad Alvear, who is on leave.

The FTA would be a cornerstone to promote mutual relations and trade, Ban told Barros on the phone. He also said he hoped the pact would be properly implemented in the near future.

Barros said his country is very satisfied with the results of Assembly’s decision, and thanked the South Korean government and the legislature for their efforts to approve the FTA bill.

The unicameral National Assembly passed the bill Monday, after lawmakers unsuccessfully had attempted to ratify it three times before in the face of fierce opposition from farming constituencies that fear competition from Chilean agricultural imports.

Industry and public officials succeeded in putting enough pressure on Assembly members to ratify the FTA.

South Korean legislators, with electoral districts in the farming area, collectively blocked the FTA passage on three previous occasions fearing backlash from their constituents ahead of the April 15 general elections. Some farmers’ associations, following the passage of the bill, also issued a statement, saying they would not vote for lawmakers who supported the bill in the upcoming elections.

The ratified bill is expected to take effect in early April, and to propel forward the signing of other agreements with New Zealand, Singapore and Japan.

yoonwonsup@koreatimes.co.kr