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For a New Chapter in
KOREA – USA Friendship
Hosted by:
ROK
Consulate
Korean American Chamber of Commerce, WA
Thursday, December 1st, 2011
At 6:00 PM

at Seattle Airport Marriott, Evergreen Hall
3201 S 176
th Street, Seattle, WA

Consul General Song Young Wan and Korea American Chamber of Commerce, WA President, Susan Lee, Senator Paull Shin welcomed and appreciated and celebrated together with guests and dignitaries some Representatives, Senators, and other officials including consulates: Canadian Consulates, Russian Consulate, Japanese Consulate, Mexican Consulate, and Consular Corps.

Mr. Pierson Bob Clair who is C.E.O of Brown Haley made special remarks about the famous Washington State Pink Almond Roca the butter crunch toffee. Asians first got a taste of the candy during World War II, said Almond Roca Chief Executive Officer Pierson Clair

Mr. Pierson Bob Clair says that "United States, had a number of Navy bases in the Puget Sound and so captains and supply officers would throw on cases of Almond Roca to be on the ships for provisions, but they also used them for barter across Asia," It is very popular in Asia including china, and Korea.

Pierson Bob Clair made his first batch of chocolate for the Blommer Chocolate Co. in Los Angeles in 1964 when he was age 16. It was the beginning of a long love affair with chocolate and candy making. Mr. Pierson Bob Clair took on the role of president in 1998 and chief operating officer at Brown Haley, taking on chief executive duties in 2004. Since his arrival to Brown Haley, Clair has focused on leveraging the company’s famed Almond Roca brand through a variety of innovative product launches, which has spurred sales and profit growth. Pierson Bob Clair has overseen a multi-million investment effort at the company’s 110,000-sq.-ft. plant in Tacoma to improve efficiencies and implement modernization efforts, all of which have lead to nearly a 30% expended in output. Pierson Bob Clair serves on the NCA’s Chocolate Council and is a member of the World Cocoa Foundation. He’s also been involved with the American Association of Candy Technologists as a former section chairman and been an active supporter of the Western Candy Conference, having served as chairman of the association’s program and golf committees for 15 years. He graduated Stanford University in 1970 and he is now a member of the Tacoma, Washington Public Library.

The KORUS FTA (Free Trade Agreement) is both a testament and a triumph to the excellent rapport both U.S. and Korea have established over the years which was ratified by the National Assembly of South Korea on November 22, 2011, with a vote of 151-7. Negotiations were announced on February 2, 2006, and concluded on April 1, 2007. Although the treaty was first signed on June 30, 2007, with a renegotiated version signed in early December 2010. The agreement was passed by the United States on October 12, 2011 with the senate passing it 83-15 and the house 278-151.

Program included songs by Korean Music Association: Sp. KyungJ.

Bar. Mu U. Kim, Sop. Kijeong Jun, Piano: Min H. Chung , Bar. Yuseok Oh, Piano Haewon O, Sop Dohee Kim, Bar. Woongcun Kim, and Sop Soojin Lee. Korean Traditional Songs dance by Esther Kim, Gayaguem Ensemble by Dahyang Kwon, Sook Ja Oh, Kwang Rim Hong, Soo Ah Kim, Yoon Hee, Gayageum by Myung Ja Chang, Daegeum by Jee Woo Kim : finally finsihed with Song of Friendship by all performers together. The celebration was exciting and cheerful and everyone had great time with dinner and entertainment. Many were happy and was excited that KORUS FTA will create jobs more than 7,000 jobs and will be able to support for economic recovery for Washington State and United states even in Korea which is more than 280,000 jobsexpecttocreatingbyU.S-KoreaFTAbyboostingU.S.exportsbymorethan
$10billion and increasing the U.S. share of exports to Asia 1 percent. Last  past few years have been very tough but, the KORUS FTA relationship will certainly opening up the markets and everyone believes this is the opportunity and 2012 is the challenging year as approaching to start implementing all of these promises....and hope...

Happy New Year and prosperity for 2012 for catch4all.com viewers around the world!!

Congratulations Again!! KORUS FTA

Music: Arirang by:Fife St Paul, Chung Ha San Catholic Church Choir Directed by Soo Jin Lee

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Even if it was tough situation, there are many community activities have not stop in Washington States and around the nation in United States. Here are the Korean American Coalition awards photos that you will be able to see the community awards and others.: KAC-WA Leadership Awards Gala theme was Create, Connect, and inspire which all of us can connected with communities and beyond and inspiring as role models and we all can learn from inspiration from their experiences. Award winners were: Artistic Achievement Award: Rachel Yang, Chef and Owner of Joule and Revel Restaurants which presented by James Sun, Co founder and CEO of Pirq. Community Service Award: Sulja Warnick, presented by Jon Fine, President and CEO of United Way of King County. 2011 Futre Leader Awards and scholarship receiepients were: Luck Allen, Ingrapham High School, Eric Lee, Thomas Jefferson High School You-Min Lee, Pilchuck High School, Devin Moon, International High School, Sarah Yu, Thomas Jefferson High School presented by Shari Song, KAC President, and Young Suhr, KAC Board Chair Rocky Kim Pioneer Award: Cindy Ryu, Washington State Representative presented by Diane Narasaki, Executive Director, Asian counseling and Referral Service:  and another Rocky Kim Pioneer Award recipient was Hon. Mariane Spearman, King county Superior Court Judge and presented by Cheryl Lee, Senior Product Manager, Microsoft on November 4, 2011 at Hyatt Regency Bellevue which was proceeded by MC: Jennifer Kim, KOMO News. Keynote Speaker was James Riley, Seattle Sounders Defender who made creatively connected with people and inspired by his great experience and dedication of practice and keep forward for his future. Throughout his career he has generally played as a right fullback who was inspired by his mother who is from south Korea.  Riley was left exposed by Seattle in the 2011 MLS Expansion Draft and he was selected by expansion side Montreal Impact in the November 23, 2011 draft. He was then immediately traded with allocation money to Chivas USA for Justin Braun and Gerson Mayen. In addition, many have connected by great performance by Kings with their creative music band.

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See Other photos via Catch4all.com:

61st Korean War memorial service photos and other photos

The 3rd Annual Korean BBQ Cook-Off

Korean Cultrual Celebration "Ch'uSuk" 2011
September 3rd, 2011

Lakehaven Water Conservation
Calendar Poster Contest Awards Ceremony

"I Celebrate You 2011" Unsung Hero Winner, Dori Synn

Korean-American Culture Society Development Association
Visit
to Seattle, WA From South Korea


Korean Women's Association of WA: Duck Derby at The Foss Waterway
October 1st, 2011

Remembering 911 (2001 to 2011)

Sources: White House,SeoulKoreaEmbassyof
theUnitedstatesDOD,
U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement, Yahoo, and Youtube
catch4all.com, Sandra Englund, December 31st, 2011

Halleluiah!!!!!!! KORUS FTA:
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
South Korea's parliament ratifies
US trade deal



According to Associated Press writer Sam Kim, dated November 23rd, South Korea's parliament ratifies US trade deal

— South Korea's parliament ratified a long-stalled free trade deal with the United States on Tuesday after ruling party lawmakers forced a vote amid shouts and shoves from opposition rivals.

South Korean lawmakers voted 151 to 7 in favor of ratifying the landmark trade agreement in a surprise legislative session called by the ruling Grand National Party, parliamentary officials said.

The pact is America's biggest free-trade agreement since the 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement with Canada and Mexico. Two-way trade between South Korea, Asia's fourth-largest economy, and the United States totaled about $90 billion last year, according to the South Korean government.

Lawmakers have been wrangling over ratification of the free trade deal since U.S. Congress and President Barack Obama approved the deal last month after years of divisive debate in the U.S.

South Korea, a major exporter of industrial goods such as automobiles and consumer electronics, has aggressively sought free trade agreements and already has several in effect, including with Chile, India, the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the European Union.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said in a statement Tuesday that it will work to get the trade deal to take effect on Jan. 1, 2012.

------------------------

Congratulations South Korea and U.S.A., finally, It is paid off now for both countries, It is onlythe beginning now that jobs and businesses to grow for both countries without too much of pain process going through. So many people, communities leaders, business leaders, corporate and officials have been working so hard to pass FTA for both countries economic recover and global economic to grow withappropriate manners. Although it may be difficult for some point but, overall, it is good for all. This KORUS FTA pass will make both countries prosperity and economic recover quickly. Meanwhile, many are worry about the empty buildings and empty houses around the states, there are so many nice buildings and value that you can say gold values are wasting time and spaces due to the finance bankruptcies and global financial crises. All of these should be resolved before to creating new loans. nowadays all of these are in desperate to be sold. Surprisingly, many of you can see, you will be able to find real-estate in a low price for manyplaces. Investors should clean up the empty spaces of buildings and houses to help bank and financial support in any places. Besides all of these, Of course creating Jobs are priority to save the people who are unemployed.

The U.S. International Trade Commission has estimated that the tariff cuts alone in the U.S. Korea trade agreement will increase exports of American goods by $10 billion to 11 billion. It is expecting to have more than 70,000 American jobs expected to be supported by those increased goods exports alone. As well as the additional American jobs that will come from breaking down non-0tariff barriers keeping U.S. exports out of Korea, and by requiring stronger protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights in Korea.

Just as importantly, the U.S.-Korea trade agreement will also open Korea’s $580 billion services market to highly competitive American companies - supporting jobs for American workers in sectors ranging from delivery and telecommunications services to education and health care services. When unemployees are going back to work definitely will help taxpaying when its helping to grow, surrounded businesses like restaurants, dry cleaning, gas stations, grocery shops,farmers,manufactures, aerospace industry,auto industry,education,green economic, ecoenvironment and etc....inaddition,global partners and suppliers around the world even the homeland and national global securities. We can look back why President Lee Myung Back and President Obama even many officials, community leaders from certainly, the KORUS FTA win-win agreement will provide big differences of the economic and strategic benefits to both countries. South Korean report shows that KoreaUSFTAwillbeaffectedstaringinJanuary2nd,2012 which remind of all of us the following fact sheets have reviewed before:

FACT SHEET: Overview of the U.S.-Korea Trade Agreement

FACT SHEET: Economic Value of the U.S.-Korea Trade Agreement

FACT SHEET: Increasing U.S. Auto Exports and Growing U.S. Jobs Through the U.S. Korea Trade Agreement

See below more detail info via youtube:

Congratulations again! It is something that we all can shout for Hallelujah !!!!!!

Related useful links:

Halleluiah!!!!!!! KORUS FTA: South Korea's parliament ratifies US trade deal, I CAN RELATE TO This video THAT MANY ARE EXCITED : THIS IS from the small Yupiq Eskimo Village of Quinhagak, Alaska , was a school computer project intended for the other Yupiq villages in the area. Much to the villagers' shock, over a half million people have viewed that I would like to share it in below via youtube:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/

http://seoul.usembassy.gov/p_413_fta.html

http://catch4all.com/positive/2011/Boeing/FTA/Colombia/

http://catch4all.com/positive/2011/WhiteHouse/October/index7gg.htm

http://catch4all.com/positive/2010/KWA/Roundtable/

http://catch4all.com/positive/2011/WhiteHouse/April/CleanEnergy/

http://catch4all.com/positive/2011/WhiteHouse/Urgent/JobCreation/

http://catch4all.com/positive/2011/WhiteHouse/October/

http://catch4all.com/positive/2011/WhiteHouse/Urgent/JobCreation/

Sources:
White House,Seoul Korea Embassy of the United states DOD, Yahoo, and Youtube

catch4all.com, Sandra Englund, November 24th, 2011


President Lee Myung-bak of the Republic of Korea: Official Visit


President Obama offers a toast to Lee Myung-Bak, President of the Republic of Korea,
at a State Dinner at the White House.

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release

October 13, 2011

Remarks by President Obama and President Lee of the Republic of Korea
in an Exchange of Toasts at State Dinner
East Room

PRESIDENT OBAMA: (In progress) -- representing one of America’s strongest allies and global partners, the Republic of Korea. (Applause.)

I also want to acknowledge two guests in particular. Another son of Korea dedicated to peace and security, the Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, is here -- (applause) -- and our first Korean-American ambassador to the Republic of Korea, confirmed by the Senate today, Ambassador Sung Kim. (Applause.)

I’m going to be very brief tonight because President Lee has had a very full day and a very wet day -- (laughter) -- as well as extended meetings and press conferences, a State Department banquet, and an address to the Congress, which I understand went extraordinarily well. There is a reason why people call him “The Bulldozer.” He is unstoppable. (Laughter.)

Mr. President, today you have spoken with great eloquence about what America and our alliance has meant to your life and the life of your country. This evening, I want you and your countrymen to know what Korea and its people have meant to America.

The essence of our alliance, I think, is embodied in a concept that is uniquely Korean. It doesn’t translate that easily. But it reflects the deep affection, the bonds of the heart that cannot be broken and that grow stronger with time. Our Korean friends know it well -- jeong.

In our country, we’ve felt this jeong in our vibrant Korean American communities, including in Hawaii where I grew up -- a melting pot of cultures that made me who I am, and that taught me we can all live together in mutual trust and respect.

I felt this jeong during my visit to Korea, on Veterans Day, the 60th anniversary of the Korean War, when our proud veterans of that war, both Korean and American, came together to celebrate a shared legacy -- a free, democratic and prosperous Republic of Korea.

And I felt this jeong in my friendship with President Lee. Mr. President, your life story -- from crushing poverty to the presidency -- is an inspiration. Your success, Korea’s success, speaks to the truth that, with education and hard work, anything is possible. It’s a spirit our countries share. You’ve described it in Korean, and in English, it translates as: "Yes, we can." (Laughter and applause.) It sounds good in Korean, too. (Laughter.)

Finally, I would note that in our lives President Lee and I have both been blessed to find our better halves -- leaders in their own right, advocates for women and young people, who we are proud to call our First Ladies. Mr. President, as we say in America, we both married up. (Laughter.)

And so I want to propose a toast -- I believe this is mine -- to our friends, President Lee and First Lady Kim, and to their delegation, most of all to the enduring alliance between our nations, a partnership of the heart that will never be broken. Cheers. Gun-bae.

(A toast is offered.)

PRESIDENT LEE: (As translated) First of all, Mr. President, Madam First Lady, distinguished guests, please allow me to thank you from the bottom of my heart for this warm reception extended to me, my wife and my delegation. Thank you very much.

And Mr. President and Madam First Lady, my visit to you in Washington, D.C. this time is especially special because before you are the President of the United States of America, you are a great, close friend of mine. And this is how I consider you as well as the Madam First Lady. So this visit is very, very special for all of us.

Ladies and gentlemen, the President just spoke about the Korean emotion that we call jeong in Korea. I think indeed President Obama knows that deep inside his heart he understands the essence of what we call jeong. Jeong can be explained in many different aspects, but one aspect of that is an individual that is humble and very strong inside. And I think President Obama exemplifies this trait of what we call jeong, and that is why we have a very special tie that we feel whenever I think about President Obama. Ladies and gentlemen, I’m a very, very honest guy -- (laughter) -- so what I say, I really mean it.

And also, Mr. President, I must thank you for one thing, because you have spoken so highly of the outstanding educational system of Korea, the dedication of its teachers and the determination of our Korean parents when it comes to educating their children. You have so many new teacher fans in Korea. (Laughter.) And I have to be very honest with you. I think there's quite a number of them who like you more than they like me. (Laughter and applause.)

Mr. President, seriously, you do have a lot of teacher fans in Korea. But the real reason, when we look deep down inside, the reason why you are so popular among many Koreans is because everyone, including myself, are deeply impressed by your endless passion for learning and that this is very much a -- very much reflected in your life story.

Mr. President, Madam First Lady, ladies and gentlemen, whenever I think about the United States and the people of America, I also have a very personal story in mind, which I would like to share with you briefly tonight. As you know, 60 years ago Korea used to be one of the poorest countries in the world, and my family was exceptionally poor, and we really had nothing to eat, nothing to wear. We had to rely on foreign aid for many, many years. And I remember -- I think I was about nine or 10 years old -- in my village there came an American missionary lady with boxes and containers full of used clothes that she would come to my village and hand out.

So, being a boy whose only wish at that time was to own and wear a pair of blue jeans, I decided to stand in line, along with many people. But I was a very small and shy boy -- hard to imagine -- (laughter) -- so a lot of people were pushing and they were jostling about. So I ended up way at the end of the line. When my turn came, I went up to the American missionary lady and I asked for a pair of blue jeans, to which she said -- she just looked at me and said, "Well, I'm sorry, I'm all out of blue jeans." And of course I was devastated. I was heartbroken. And this kind American missionary lady takes one look at me and, out of sympathy, she hands me something out of the box. She handed me a small rubber ball. Now, this did little to console the boy who was crushed, because, after all, what was I going to do with a rubber ball?

And so, to this day -- and I shared this story with President Obama -- and I -- when I finished the story I remember the President laughing a bit nervously, but -- (laughter) -- I told him, I said, "Mr. President, as you can see, I do not owe the United States anything, except" -- (laughter) -- "except maybe for a rubber ball." (Laughter and applause.)

So, ladies and gentlemen, Mr. President, Madam First Lady, although half-jokingly I say that I do not owe the United States anything, but in reality my country and my people owe you tremendously. Which other country -- no country came to aid the Republic of Korea 60 years ago when my country was being attacked by communists. No country sacrificed more than 37,000 lives defending freedom for the people of my country. So for that, for many, many years onwards, we will always be grateful to the American people. (Applause.)

Mr. President, ladies and gentlemen, just last night, the United States Congress passed and ratified the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement. I've said this before, but please allow me to say it again: I am deeply appreciative and grateful to the leadership of Congress, to all the members of the United States Congress who supported this measure, and especially to the steadfast leadership of President Obama for pushing this through. (Applause.)

And also, Mr. President, ladies and gentlemen, I know that there are those in the United States Congress who did not vote "yea" for this very important agreement. I think I see a few faces here who -- (laughter) -- but I'm very, very confident, ladies and gentlemen, that in one year or even less that these people who may be a little bit critical of this important agreement will say that they made a mistake, because they will see the visible results of this very important agreement. (Applause.)

And the thing that I want to prove the most, ladies and gentlemen, with the KORUS FTA is that many of those critics who were saying that the KORUS FTA was somehow going to make people lose their jobs -- but really the KORUS FTA is going to create a lot of good, decent jobs for the people of America. And this is a point that I want to prove by implementing this agreement.

And, ladies and gentlemen, you see Mr. King seated at the head table here. As I was receiving guests, and when he came up to me and I was shaking hands, I thought to myself, this is my chance to explain to Mr. King that the KORUS FTA is going to create a lot of good jobs for his people and the members of his union. (Applause.)

Well, the fact that Mr. King accepted the invitation to be here tonight just goes to show that he believes in the essence and the core values of the KORUS FTA, so I have no worries. (Laughter.)

Mr. President, Madam First Lady, ladies and gentlemen, our relationship between our two countries began 130 years ago. Sixty years ago, our mutual defense treaty began what is considered to be one of the strongest military and political alliance that the world has ever known. Of course, we are here today to celebrate our journey of the last 60 years, one that has been -- always been marked by triumphs, sometimes heartache, but always full of hope. And we are gathered here to reaffirm our friendship and to renew our common commitment towards our shared goals. I know that our relationship will go strongit will become more mature and complete.

Mr. President, as we talked about over the last few days, we have many, many challenges that are facing us as a nation and as a member of the international community. We do not know when, what type of form or how it is going to strike us. There is a lot of uncertainty out there. But I believe in our friendship, because if we are faced with challenges, I know that we will overcome them and even come out stronger.

I just want to emphasize once again our alliance between the Republic of Korea and the United States. It ensures us that we are not alone -- neither is Korea alone or the United States. So we can have confidence that we will be able to overcome any challenges that may face us.

Well, ladies and gentlemen, I see the guests today, and I think a lot of you are people who are very much liked by the President and the Madam First Lady. I also see a few of you who I always wanted to see, and so I'm very happy that I have the chance to see and meet with you tonight.

So once again, Mr. President, Madam First Lady, thank you so much for this honor, and thank you for your invitation. (Applause.)

(In English) Now I'm going to propose a toast -- for us. (Laughter.)

(As translated) Ladies and gentlemen, please join me now in a toast: First of all, for the health and well-being of President Obama and Madam First Lady, and, of course, for our everlasting friendship between our two countries.

(A toast is offered.)

END

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You can see ROK president Lee Myung Bak and First Lady, Kim Yoon-ok were received warm welcome in United States America. You can see more detail via following photos:You may control music to stop. Also you are able to resize the photos:


Sources: White House, DOD, Yahoo, and Youtube

Music: Morzart: T3 Orchestra In C Majory K299

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On a same day Vice President Biden, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and 200 guests welcomed President Lee Myung-bak and First Lady Kim Yoon-ok to the Benjamin Franklin State Dinning Room of the State Department. October 13, 2011. Although, President Lee was invited to the Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta’s meeting on October 12, 2011.see more detail via youtube and photos in below:

Sources:
White House,DOD, Yahoo, and Youtube

catch4all.com, Sandra Englund, October 17, 2011

President Obama and President Lee Press Availability: President Obama and President Lee of South Korea hold a joint press availability in the East Room of the White House.


 

 

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Remarks by President Obama and President Lee of the Republic of Korea
in a Joint Press Conference

Thursday, October 13, 2011
Washington DC
White House East Room

12:22 P.M. EDT

PRESIDENT OBAMA: Please, everybody have a seat. Good afternoon. Once again, it is a great honor to welcome my good friend and partner, President Lee, back to the White House. We had a wonderful dinner last night at one of our outstanding local Korean restaurants. Michelle and I are looking forward to hosting the President and First Lady Kim at tonight’s state dinner. And today President Lee will address Congress -- a high honor reserved for America’s closest friends.

This state visit reflects the fact that the Republic of Korea is one of our strongest allies. Because we’ve stood together, the people of South Korea, from the ruins of war, were able to build an economic miracle and become one of our largest trading partners, creating jobs and opportunity for both our peoples. Because we stood together, South Koreans were able to build a strong and thriving democracy and become a steady partner in preserving security and freedom not only on the Korean peninsula, but beyond.

As I said this morning, this visit also recognizes South Korea’s emergence as one of our key global partners. South Koreans have served bravely with us in Afghanistan and Iraq. South Korean forces have partnered with us to prevent piracy off the shores of Africa and stem the spread of weapons of mass destruction. Once a recipient of aid, South Korea has become a donor nation, supporting development from Asia to Africa. And under President’s personal leadership, Seoul served as host to the G20 summit last year and will host the next Nuclear Security Summit next year.

South Korea’s success is a tribute to the sacrifices and tenacity of the Korean people. It’s also a tribute to the vision and commitment of President Lee.

Mr. President, you have shown how the international community should work in the 21st century -- more nations bearing the responsibility of meeting global challenges. In the face of unprovoked attacks on your citizens, you and the South Korean people have shown extraordinary strength, restraint and resolve.

And I'd add that in all of our dealings, President Lee has shared my focus on what matters most -- the security and prosperity of our citizens. And that, again, has been our focus today.

We agreed to move ahead quickly with the landmark trade agreement that Congress passed last night -- and which I’ll sign in the coming days. It’s a win for both our countries. For our farmers and ranchers here in the United States, it will increase exports of agricultural products. From aerospace to electronics, it will increase American manufacturing exports, including those produced by our small businesses. It will open Korea’s lucrative services market, and I’m very pleased that it will help level the playing field for American automakers.

As a former executive, President Lee will understand when I say that just as Americans buy Hyundais and Kias, I hope that South Koreans will buy more Fords, Chryslers and Chevys. And tomorrow, President Lee and I will be visiting with autoworkers in Michigan -- some of the many Americans who are going to benefit from this agreement.

In short, this agreement will boost American exports by up to $11 billion and support some 70,000 American jobs. It has groundbreaking protections for labor rights, the environment and intellectual property -- so that trade is free and fair. It will promote green jobs and clean energy, another area where we’re deepening our cooperation. And it keeps us on track to achieve my goals of doubling American exports.

So, President Lee, I thank you for your partnership in getting this deal done, a deal that will also be good for Korean businesses and Korean jobs. I look forward to working with you to bring it into force as quickly as possible.

As we expand our economic cooperation, we’re also deepening our security cooperation. Guided by our joint vision for the alliance, we agreed to continue strengthening our capabilities to deter any threat. I can never say it enough: The commitment of the United States to the defense and security of the Republic of Korea will never waver. And as we have for decades, the United States will maintain our strong presence in the Asia Pacific, which is a foundation for security and prosperity in Asia in the 21st century.

In this regard, we discussed North Korea, which continues to pose a direct threat to the security of both our nations. On this, President Lee [and I] are entirely united. Together, we've succeeded in changing the equation with the North, by showing that its provocations will be met -- not with rewards but with even stronger sanctions and isolation. So the choice is clear for North Korea. If Pyongyang continues to ignore its international obligations, it will invite even more pressure and isolation. If the North abandons its quest for nuclear weapons and moves toward denuclearization, it will enjoy greater security and opportunity for its people. That's the choice that North Korea faces.

Given the global nature of alliances, President Lee and I discussed the full range of challenges to our security and prosperity. I thanked the President for South Korea’s continued support for reconstruction in Afghanistan and I updated him on the transition that is underway towards full Afghan responsibility for security. We agreed to continue our support for democratic transitions in the Middle East and North Africa, including Libya.

We’ve agreed to coordinate more closely on the development that lifts -- that can lift people and nations out of poverty. I appreciated hearing the President’s plans for next year’s Nuclear Security Summit, which I look forward to attending. And as we approach the G20 and APEC summits next month, we agreed on the need for coordinated global action that focuses on growth and creates jobs for our workers.

Finally, we’re strengthening the ties between our people. South Korea is one of the top sources of international students studying in the United States. And the number of American students who are studying in Korea has been soaring. So we’ve directed our teams to sustain this momentum and expand educational exchanges between our people -- not unlike the one that once brought a visiting scholar named Lee Myung-bak to an American university just blocks from here.

So, again, Mr. President, I thank you for your partnership and your friendship. And because of the progress we’ve made today, I’m confident that your visit will mark a turning point in the enduring alliance between our two nations.

Thank you very much.

PRESIDENT LEE: (As interpreted.) Thank you, Mr. President. First of all, I thank President Obama again for inviting me to make a state visit to the United States. My thanks goes out to the Madam First Lady as well. I am pleased to have had the chance to reaffirm once again the strong partnership and friendship between our two countries.

I met with President Obama six times over the last three years. Our meetings were always constructive, allowing us to reaffirm the strength of our alliance, an alliance that is firmly based upon shared values and mutual trust. This alliance guarantees peace, stability and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula, the Asia Pacific region and beyond. We will continue to strengthen what is already a powerful and far-reaching alliance.

I was privileged to have spent many hours with President Obama during my visit to Washington, D.C. this time, discussing and sharing views on a wide array of issues, such as security on the Korean Peninsula and the Northeast Asia region; trade and economic cooperation between our two countries; situation in the Middle East, including what is unfolding in Libya; various international security issues; and, of course, the global economy and the challenges that we face today.

In particular, we welcome the ratification of the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement by the United States Congress. I am confident that the Korea National Assembly will soon ratify this very important agreement in the near future.

I take this opportunity to sincerely thank President Obama, the congressional leadership and the members of Congress, for their support and commitment. The Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement is a historic achievement that will become a significant milestone in our 130-year relationship. It is a win-win agreement that will benefit both of our countries in countless ways. This agreement will create more jobs, generate more trade, and stimulate our economies.

This free trade agreement will bring numerous benefits to our workers, our companies, our small businesses and our consumers alike. Furthermore, mutual investments will increase and our economic partnership will become stronger. And the KORUS FTA will bring benefits beyond Korea and the United States. It will be a gateway to enhancing ties between North America and Asia. It will allow us to get ahead and stay ahead in the global markets.

As we all know, the global economy is undergoing many challenges. The Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement will demonstrate to the world that we can create good-quality jobs and stimulate growth through open and fair trade. This is a good example. The passage of the KORUS FTA has opened up a new chapter in our partnership, in our alliance.

For the last 60 years we have maintained a strong political, military alliance. Now the KORUS FTA signals the beginning of an economic alliance. This alliance will strengthen and elevate our military and political alliance to a whole new level. Our alliance is evolving into a future-oriented partnership and it will become stronger.

When President Obama and I adopted a joint vision for the future of the alliance in 2009, we agreed to expand the depth and scope of our strategic alliance. Today, we reaffirmed our common commitment to a common future -- a future of ensuring peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and beyond, including the Northeast Asian region. Our alliance will continue to play a pivotal role in overcoming the many global challenges that we face today.

Recently, we were deeply shocked when we read the reports on the attempt to harm the Saudi envoy here in Washington D.C. I and the Korean people strongly condemned all forms of terrorism. And as you can see already, our two countries are working to bring peace and ensure stability around the world. We are partners in Iraq and Afghanistan. We are safeguarding our vital sea lanes off the coast of Somalia.

Today, we also talked about the rebuilding of Libya and bringing democracy and economic prosperity to a region wracked by violence and instability. We also agreed to continue our work towards promoting universal values such as human rights, democracy and freedom across the world.

In particular, we agreed that Korea and the United States will contribute to the economic development and administrative capacity-building in Libya, provide vocational training for its young people, provide medical care, and rebuild and reinvest in its infrastructure. We will coordinate our joint efforts with the United Nations support mission in Libya and the Friends of Libya meetings, and our international partners.

We also talked about the worrying state of the global economy and how to overcome the perils that emanated from the eurozone. The situation in Europe is a source of grave concern. We agreed to strengthen international cooperation through the G20 so that the fiscal situation does not endanger the recovery of our real economies. In particular, our two countries agreed to work together to bring back stability to our financial markets similar to what we did back in 2008.

As we have done for the past three years, President Obama and I will remain in complete agreement when dealing with North Korea. Our principled approach will remain steadfast. We agreed that North Korea’s continued pursuit of nuclear weapons poses a serious threat to peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula and the world. We will continue to work towards denuclearization of the peninsula.

The second Nuclear Security Summit will be held next March in Seoul. During the summit, we will review the progress made since the first summit in 2010, which was convened under the initiative of President Obama. The leaders will have one goal, and that is to achieve our collective vision of a world free of nuclear weapons.

I thank President Obama and his able team for giving us their full support in the preparations of the summit, and, of course, we’ll continue to work with them. And I look forward to welcoming President Obama and Mrs. Obama in Seoul next year.

Thank you very much.

PRESIDENT OBAMA: All right. We’re going to start off with Ed Henry. Where’s Ed?

Q Thank you, Mr. President. I appreciate it.

President Lee, I wanted to start with you, one question each. First, when you mentioned North Korea, what concrete steps do you think the Obama administration has helped to contain Kim Jong Il?

And, President Obama, I wanted to get your first reaction to the Iranian terror plot. Your Secretary of State called it a dangerous escalation. What specific steps will you take to hold Iran accountable, especially when Mitt Romney charged last week, “If you do not want America to be the strongest nation on Earth, I am not your President -- you have that President today”?

PRESIDENT OBAMA: Well, I didn't know that you were the spokesperson for Mitt Romney. (Laughter.) But let me just talk about the plot in particular. We have a situation here where the Attorney General has laid out a very specific set of facts. What we know is that an individual of Iranian-American descent was involved in a plot to assassinate the ambassador to the United States from Saudi Arabia. And we also know that he had direct links, was paid by and directed by individuals in the Iranian government.

Now, those facts are there for all to see. And we would not be bringing forward a case unless we knew exactly how to support all the allegations that are contained in the indictment.

So we have contacted all our allies, the international community; we’ve laid the facts before them. And we believe that after people have analyzed them, there will not be a dispute that this is, in fact, what happened.

This is a -- not just a dangerous escalation; this is part of a pattern of dangerous and reckless behavior by the Iranian government. One of the principles of international behavior is that our diplomats -- we send them around the world -- that they are going to be protected, they are not targets for threats or physical violence. And for Iran to have been involved in a plot like this indicates the degree to which it has been outside of accepted norms of international behavior for far too long. This is just one example of a series of steps that they’ve taken to create violence and to behave in a way that you don’t see other countries doing.

So with respect to how we respond, our first step is to make sure that we prosecute those individuals that have been named in the indictment. And I will leave to the Attorney General the task of describing how that will proceed.

The second thing that we’re going to continue to do is to apply the toughest sanctions and continue to mobilize the international community to make sure that Iran is further and further isolated and that it pays a price for this kind of behavior.

Keep in mind that when I came into office I think Iran saw itself as being able to play various countries against each other and avoid the kind of isolation that it deserved. Since that time, what we’ve seen, whether it relates to its nuclear program or its state-sponsored terrorism, that more and more countries have been willing to speak out in forceful ways, whether through the United Nations or through other avenues, to say this is not acceptable behavior. And it is having an impact. I mean, what we’ve seen is Iran’s economy is in a much more difficult state now than it was several years ago, in part because we’ve been able to unify the international community in naming Iran’s misbehavior and saying that it's got to stop and there are going to be consequences to its actions.

Now, we don’t take any options off the table in terms of how we operate with Iran. But what you can expect is that we will continue to apply the sorts of pressure that will have a direct impact on the Iranian government until it makes a better choice in terms of how it’s going to interact with the rest of the international community.

There is great similarity between how Iran operates and how North Korea operates -- a willingness on their part to break international rules, to flout international norms, to not live up to their own commitments. And each time they do that the United States will join with its partners and allies in making sure that they pay a price.

And I think that -- I have to emphasize that this plot was not simply directed at the United States of America. This is a plot that was directed against the Saudi ambassador. And I think that what you’re going to see is folks throughout the Middle East region questioning their ability to work effectively with Iran. This builds on the recognition within the region that Iran in fact has been hypocritical when it comes to dealing with the Arab Spring, given their own repressive activities inside their country, their willingness to prop up the Syrian regime at a time when they’re killing their own citizens.
This is a pattern of behavior that I think increasingly the international community is going to consider out of bounds and is going to continue to punish Iran for. Unfortunately, the Iranian people are the ones that probably suffer the most from this regime’s behavior. And we will continue to work to see how we can bring about a Iranian government that is actually responsive to its people but also following the rules of the road that other countries in the international community follow.

PRESIDENT LEE: (As interpreted.) Thank you. To answer your question about North Korea, first of all, President Obama and I, for the last three years, we have maintained very close cooperation and coordination when it comes to North Korea policy. We have consistently applied our principled approach towards North Korea.

For North Korea, the only way to ensure happiness for its people and to embark on that path to development is to abandon its nuclear ambitions. And so we have tried through peaceful means, through diplomatic means, to strongly urge North Korea to abandon its nuclear ambitions.

And in this day and age, we realize that no single country can be effective in achieving its diplomatic or economic aims on its own. We know that cooperation is vital in order for a country to become a responsible member of the international community, which is something that we want for North Korea. And so we would, of course, want North Korea to abandon its nuclear ambitions. And, of course, Korea and the United States will continue to consistently apply a principled approach so that we can achieve our strategic objective.

And when it comes to cooperation between our two governments, we speak with one voice, and we will continue to speak with one voice. And it was a chance for me to reaffirm this today.

Q I know that President Lee is talking about a South Korea-North Korea-Russia trilateral gas pipeline project. But North Korea is also under a lot of sanctions from the international community and the United States and other countries. But having said that, if this gas line project proceeds as planned, then we would have to provide or compensate North Korea with a substantial amount of money or other forms of compensation. So in your opinion, President Lee, do you think that the gas line pipe project will be able to proceed without resolving the North Korean nuclear issue?

PRESIDENT LEE: (As interpreted.) Yes, thank you. And I don't know if that’s a question that I should be answering here in the United States, but since you asked a question I will try to answer that.

In the Far East, we have been discussing this issue for quite some time in trying to import Russian gas into the Republic of Korea. Now, we’re discussing, right now with the North Koreans, whether the Russian gas -- which is quite affordable -- can travel through North Korea and be imported and be used in South Korea.

This is beneficial, first of all, for Russians because they can sell their natural resource. For North Korea it is beneficial because they could use this natural resource, and also beneficial for South Korea as well. But let me just remind you that South Korea, North Korea and Russia haven’t yet come together to discuss this issue in any detail. But from an economic standpoint of view, it is beneficial for all parties involved. But I understand that this issue is not just economics alone. This issue, inevitably, involves security matters, which we will consider very closely.

And, also, let me remind you that this project will not be implemented anytime soon. Of course we are mindful of the progress that we are making with regards to the North Korean nuclear issue as well.

Q Thank you, Mr. President. First, briefly, to follow on Ed, if I may. On the Iran alleged terror plot, do you have knowledge or do you believe that the nation’s Supreme Leader and President had knowledge of the plot? And if so, do you not see that as an act of war?

And, if I could turn to the economy, yesterday in a campaign video you said that you will force Congress to take up individual pieces of the American Jobs Act. Which pieces would you like to see them take up first? And given that, so far, you’ve been unable to force Congress to do an up or down vote on entire bill, and that new unemployment filings are not falling, why not, now, sit down with members of Congress to see if you can’t reach compromise on something that could pass now and create jobs quickly?

PRESIDENT OBAMA: Okay. First of all, on the Iranian issue, the Attorney General has put forward the facts with respect to the case, and I’m going to let him comment on the details of those facts. What we can say is that there are individuals in the Iranian government who are aware of this plot. And had it not been for the outstanding intelligence work of our intelligence officials, this plot could have gone forward and resulted not only in the death of the Saudi ambassador, but also innocent civilians here in the United States.

We believe that even if at the highest levels there was not detailed operational knowledge, there has to be accountability with respect to anybody in the Iranian government engaging in this kind of activity.

And so we will continue the investigation. We will continue to put forward all the facts that we have available to us. But the important thing is for Iran to answer the international community why anybody in their government is engaging in these kinds of activities -- which, as I indicated before, are I think out of bounds for not just a country like Iran that historically has been engaging in these kinds of activities, but violates basic principles of how diplomats are dealt with for centuries.

Now, with respect to the jobs bill, I have said repeatedly that the single most important thing we can do for the economy right now is put people back to work right now. And we have put forward a jobs bill that independent economists -- not my team, not my administration -- have said would grow the economy substantially and put up to 1.9 million people back to work. These are proposals that historically have been supported not just by Democrats, but also by Republicans. As I’ve said as I’ve traveled around the country, I don’t know when rebuilding our roads and bridges that are decaying suddenly became a partisan issue.

And I was at a Jobs Council meeting up in Pittsburgh with CEOs from companies across the board, many of whom have been traditional supporters of the Chamber of Commerce and the Business Roundtable and other organizations that the Republican Party has claimed a lot of support for. And they said, for example, when it came to infrastructure this is something that anybody in Washington should agree to.

The Republicans haven’t given a good answer as to why they have not agreed to wanting to rebuild our roads and our bridges and our schools. They have not given us a good reason as to why they don't want to put teachers back in the classroom. And so what we’re going to do is we’re going to break each of these bills apart. We’re going to say, let’s have a vote on putting teachers back in the classroom. Let’s have a vote on rebuilding our infrastructure. Let’s have a vote on making sure that we are keeping taxes low for small businesses and businesses that are willing to hire veterans, provide tax breaks for further investment that can create jobs. And each time we’re going to ask Republicans to support the bill. And if they don't want to support the bill, they’ve got to answer not just to us, but also the American people as to why they wouldn’t.

Now, I think this trade deal that we just passed -- the Korea Free Trade Act -- shows that we are happy to work with Republicans where they are willing to put politics behind the interest of the American people and come up with proposals that are actually going to create jobs. The Korea Free Trade Act we believe will create up to 70,000 jobs. It’s a good deal. We got good, strong bipartisan support.

Frankly, we have not seen a lot of ideas coming forward from Republicans that would indicate that same kind of commitment to job creation. If they do -- if Senator McConnell or Speaker Boehner say to me, you know what, we want to get some infrastructure built in this country, we think that putting construction workers back to work is important -- I’ll be right there. We’ll be ready to go. If they are willing to renew the payroll tax as we worked on together in December, I’ll be ready to go.

I don’t think the problem here, Jessica, is that I have not been unwilling to negotiate with Republicans. I've shown repeatedly my willingness to work overtime to try to get them to do something to deal with this high unemployment rate. What we haven’t seen is a similar willingness on their part to try to get something done. And we’re not going to wait around and play the usual political games here in Washington, because the American people are desperate for some relief right now.

Q Will you invite them to the White House to negotiate on the jobs bill?

PRESIDENT OBAMA: I think that anytime and anyplace that they are serious about working on putting people back to work we’ll be prepared to work with them. But we’re not going to create a lot of theater that then results in them engaging in the usual political talking points but don’t result in action.

People want action. And I’m prepared to work with them. But, again, the last time I was here at a press conference I said -- I asked you guys to show us the Republican jobs plan that independent economists would indicate would actually put people back to work. I haven’t yet seen it. And so, eventually, I’m hoping that they actually put forward some proposals that indicate that they feel that sense of urgency about people -- needing to put people back to work right now.

All right, Jessica, you can’t have four follow-ups. One is good.

Q I have two questions to President Obama. Yesterday, U.S. Congress ratified the Korea-U.S. FTA. But Korean National Assembly didn’t pass it yet. And Korean opposition party is requesting renegotiation on the FTA. What is your opinion and prospect on the future of the Korea-U.S. FTA?

And my second question is about Libya and North Korea. In Libya, there was a people’s uprising and they changed their government. And do you think such an event will be possible in North Korea in the near future? Thank you.

PRESIDENT OBAMA: Well, first of all, President Lee assures me that the KORUS FTA will pass through the National Assembly. I have great confidence in his leadership, and my expectation is that it will get done -- because it’s good for both countries. And businesses will be able to prosper here in the United States as a consequence of lowering many of these trade barriers; the same will be true in Korea. Our workers will benefit, and we can learn from each other. And I think this is one more sign of the close cooperation and friendship between our two peoples.

You’re absolutely right that what we’ve seen in the Arab Spring -- in Libya, in Tunisia, in Egypt -- is this deep longing on the part of people for freedom and opportunity. And although the path from dictatorship to democracy is always uncertain and fraught with danger, what we’ve seen also is that human spirit eventually will defeat repressive governments.

So I don’t want to predict when that might happen. I think that obviously the people of North Korea have been suffering under repressive policies for a very long time, and none of us can look at a crystal ball and know when suddenly that type of government collapses on itself.

What we know, though, is, is that what people everywhere -- whether it’s in Korea or the United States or Libya or Africa -- what people everywhere are looking for is the ability to determine their own destiny; to know that if they work hard that they will be able to be rewarded; that they can speak their mind, they can practice their religion in freedom; that they can enjoy the free flow of information that increasingly characterizes the 21st century. And I don’t think that the people of North Korea are any exception.

And I think when they see the extraordinary success and progress that’s been made in South Korea, I think, inevitably, that leads them to recognize that a system of markets and democracy and freedom is going to give their children and their grandchildren more opportunity than the system that they’re currently under.

All right, thank you very much, everybody. (Applause.)

END
1:00 P.M. EDT

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release

October 12, 2011

Statement by the Press Secretary on the Visit of President Lee of
the Republic of Korea to the White House


President Obama will host President Myung-bak Lee of the Republic of Korea at the White House on October 13 for an official state visit. This visit will highlight the strong alliance, the global partnership, and the deep economic ties between the United States and the Republic of Korea. The visit will also celebrate the strong bonds of friendship between the American and Korean people.

During the visit, the two leaders are expected to discuss a broad range of economic and security issues and review the progress made in connection with the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement and the 2009 U.S.-Korea Joint Vision Statement for the Alliance.

President and Mrs. Obama will also host President Lee and Mrs. Kim for an official state dinner on the night of October 13.
------------------------------------------------
President Obama had first trip to South Korea back in November 19th and had bilateral meeting with South Korea President Lee Myung Bak and
discussed for Increasing U.S exports in order to create new jobs and new prosperity. Mostly to creating job was the priority issues and made goal to step as much as he can take to encourage and accelerate job creation see more below recorded by White House in September, 2009.


President Obama visits South Korea in November 19th, 2009

On October 3rd, 2011, President Obama was pleased to transmit legislation and supporting documents to implement the United States Korea Free Trade Agreement (Agreement), a landmark agreement that supports American jobs, advances U.S. interests, and reflects America's fundamental values. The Agreement levels the playing field for U.S. businesses, workers, farmers, ranchers, manufacturers, investors, and service providers by offering them unprecedented access to Korea's nearly $1 trillion economy. The Agreement eliminates tariffs on over 95 percent of U.S. exports of industrial and consumer goods to Korea within the first 5 years and, together with the agreement entered into through an exchange of letters in February 2011.

Meanwhile, Congress approved U.S.-South Korea trade agreement on October 12, 7:17pm The Senate began a roll call vote on passage of H.R.3080, the US-Korea Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act; Passed with rate 83-15. That is the greatest news for all those of who have been working hard with officials and business leaders and community leaders together. Korean American Chamber of Commerce President, Susan Lee and Board Chair Yun Sun Hong stated that "We are excited about the passage of the KORUS- FTA and the immediate benefits it will bring to Washington state’s economy through its major production industries. Trade and investment between Washington state and Korea’s $1 trillion dollar economy will enable local businesses across all sectors to grow, create jobs, and boost our state’s economy. We’re grateful to all who’ve worked diligently for the passage of this KORUS- FTA, particularly to our state senators and representatives, and are eager to strengthen our economic and cultural partnerships with South Korea."

U.S.A and South Korea which will creating jobs minimum 70,000 jobs embraces U.S and Korea and the global economic recovery which was ratified by the congress b 85 to 15 at 7:17 PM on October 12, 2011. On 7:46PM, The Senate began a roll call vote on passage of H.R.3079, the US-Panama Trade Agreement Implementation Act; Passed b 77-22. At 8:05pm The Senate began a roll call vote on passage of H.R.3078, the US-Colombia Trade Agreement Implementation Act; Passed: 66-33.

White House provided A fact sheets for U.S-Korea, U.S.-Panama, and U.S. Columbia Trade Agreement: see below:

U.S.-Korea Trade Agreement

U.S.-Panama Trade Agreement

U.S.-Colombia Trade Agreement

See below youtube movie before their row calls that U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL), Ranking Member of the Senate Budget Committee, made the following comments ahead of the Senate votes on HR 3079, the Panama Free Trade Agreement, HR 3080, the South Korea Free Trade Agreement, and HR 3078, the Columbia Free Trade Agreement.

You can see the Korean population holds 10 percent of pupulation in United States surveyed by Census in year 2000: See below chart.

According to MPI, Korean Immigrants in the United States, the number of Korean immigrants in the United States grew 27-fold between 1970 and 2007, from 38,711 to 1.0 million, making them the seventh largest immigrant group in the United States after Mexican, Filipino, Indian, Chinese, Salvadoran, and Vietnamese foreign born.

About 40 percent of employed Korean-born men worked in management, business, finance, and sales. Among the 273,316 Korean-born male workers age 16 and older employed in the civilian labor force, 20.6 percent reported working in management, business, and finance, 19.6 percent reported working in sales, and 9.6 percent reported working in service occupations. Both Korean foreign-born men and women were significantly less likely to be employed as construction, extraction, and transportation workers than foreign-born men and women overall. See more detail in below table: Source by 2007 American Community Survey

Compared to other immigrants, Korean-born male workers age 16 and older employed in the civilian labor force were also more likely to report working in information technology; other sciences and engineering; social services and legal; and education, training, media, and entertainment occupations. With KOR-US FTA passed now, real actions to make to happen that is creating over 70,000 jobs to creating. This agreement help American exports will go up due to the elimination or adjustment of tariffs, which South Korea charges when exported U.S. goods come onshore in South Korea. But the agreement will also create new opportunities for even more exports as it opens South Korea’s $580 billion services market to more American companies – supporting additional jobs for American workers in service sectors ranging from express delivery to engineering to legal and accounting services to education and health care even greater homeland securities as well further, farming, manufacturing, and etc... unprecedented access to Korea's nearly $1 trillion economy. There is a great reason to celebration and for at 7:17 PM on October 12, H.R. 3080 passed and ratified by the U.S. Congress. Appreication expressing is non-stop, cannot say thank you enough to the congress who voted yes, communy leaders, business leaders and officials those of who were involved this great bill H.R. 3080 to pass. ..... for more than 60,000 Korean Americans in Washington State, in addition, foreign students and business men and women 80,000 Korean immigrants among the140,000 immigrants even greater places those who will be effacted jobs and suppliers and manufacturing and farming and to all nation and further to the global economic will be recovered by this great milestone achieving...Congratulations!!!!! Korea, Panama, and Colombia. Again, Overwhelming 278 votes in the house, U.S and Korea and the global economic recovery which was ratified by the congress 85 to 15 at 7:17 PM on October 12, 2011. On 7:46PM, The Senate began a roll call vote on passage of H.R.3079, the US-Panama Trade Agreement Implementation Act; Passed b 77-22. At 8:05pm The Senate began a roll call vote on passage of H.R.3078, the US-Colombia Trade Agreement Implementation Act; Passed: 66-33.

Ambassador Han Duk Soo provided the following webcast to view President Lee's speech as his showing appreciation to those of who were helping by many business and community leadersfor selfless and tireless supports.

Sources:White House, United State Senate, United States Senate Democrats and Youtube.
Remark by President Obama: November 2009
catch4all.com, Sandra Englund, October 12 2011


THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release

October 3, 2011

Statement from President Obama on the Submission of the Korea, Colombia, and Panama Trade Agreements

“The series of trade agreements I am submitting to Congress today will make it easier for American companies to sell their products in South Korea, Colombia, and Panama and provide a major boost to our exports. These agreements will support tens of thousands of jobs across the country for workers making products stamped with three proud words: Made in America. We've worked hard to strengthen these agreements to get the best possible deal for American workers and businesses, and I call on Congress to pass them without delay, along with the bipartisan agreement on Trade Adjustment Assistance that will help workers whose jobs have been affected by global competition.”

A fact sheet on the U.S.-Korea Trade Agreement is available HERE.

A fact sheet on the U.S.-Panama Trade Agreement is available HERE.

A fact sheet on the U.S.-Colombia Trade Agreement is available HERE.
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U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk issued the following statement regarding comments from Senate leaders on the pending trade agreements with South Korea, Colombia, and Panama, as well as a bipartisan compromise to renew key Trade Adjustment Assistance reforms.

“I am very pleased that Senators Reid and McConnell have agreed on a path forward in the Senate for the pending trade agreements and Trade Adjustment Assistance. As the President has said, these agreements will support tens of thousands of jobs here at home, and the Administration looks forward to working with leaders of the Senate and House after Congress returns in September to secure approval of these important initiatives for America’s working families.”

According to Office of the United States Executive Office of the President, new exports help to support additional jobs. That’s why President Obama is seeking approval of the U.S.-South Korea trade agreement now. With the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) estimating that the tariff cuts alone in the U.S.-South Korea trade agreement will increase exports of American goods by $10 billion to $11 billion, advancing this agreement will secure at least 70,000 American jobs supported by those exports – as well as the additional American jobs that will come from by breaking down non-tariff barriers keeping U.S. exports out of South Korea, and by requiring stronger protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights in South Korea.

The ITC’s analysis of the economic benefits of this agreement only counts how much American exports will go up due to the elimination or adjustment of tariffs, which South Korea charges when exported U.S. goods come onshore in South Korea. But the agreement will also create new opportunities for even more exports as it opens South Korea’s $580 billion services market to more American companies – supporting additional jobs for American workers in service sectors ranging from express delivery to engineering to legal and accounting services to education and health care.

In 2010 and 2011, the Obama Administration worked with South Korea, Colombia, and Panama to successfully address outstanding issues related to each of the three agreements. In particular, the Administration secured: greater U.S. access to the South Korean auto market; significantly increased labor rights and worker protections in Colombia; and enhanced tax transparency and labor rights in Panama. The Administration has been clear that once approved by Congress, agreements will enter into force only if trading partners are meeting their commitments; for instance, Colombia must successfully implement key elements of the agreed Action Plan Related to Labor Rights before the U.S.-Colombia trade agreement will enter into force. Colombia has met all milestones to date as specified in the Action Plan, including enactment of several far-reaching reforms.

Meanwhile, President Obama is seeking to approval of the U.S.-South Korea trade agreement now which is now we're down to the wire before Congress decides on U.S.-Korea trade and almost near to see the result. It will be the historic moment and the glorious moment will start the economic revealing to U.S.A and South Korea like the shining SUN and STARS in the sky and embraces U.S and Korea and the global economic recovery when it's completely ratified by the congress.

Sources:
White House
and Office of The United States Trade Representative Executive Office of the President
catch4all.com, Sandra Englund, October 12 2011



Address by the President to
a Joint Session of Congress



September 8th, 2011, President addressed a joint session of Congress and presented the American Jobs Act which is a detailed and important plan to put America back to work which supported by both Democrats and Republicans and this American jobs Act have been working to restore America's middle class and rebuild the economy which is the American way, based on balance, fairness and the same set of rules to support the market and economic to grow and further to support global market economic which includes FTA to pass which to clear the way for a series of trade agreements that would make it easier for American companies to sell their products in Panama and Colombia and South Korea. See more detail info in below

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

____________________________________________________________________________

For Immediate Release

September 8, 2011

Address by the President to a Joint Session of Congress

United States Capitol
Washington, D.C.

7:09 P.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT: Mr. Speaker, Mr. Vice President, members of Congress, and fellow Americans:

Tonight we meet at an urgent time for our country. We continue to face an economic crisis that has left millions of our neighbors jobless, and a political crisis that’s made things worse.

This past week, reporters have been asking, “What will this speech mean for the President? What will it mean for Congress? How will it affect their polls, and the next election?”

But the millions of Americans who are watching right now, they don’t care about politics. They have real-life concerns. Many have spent months looking for work. Others are doing their best just to scrape by -- giving up nights out with the family to save on gas or make the mortgage; postponing retirement to send a kid to college.

These men and women grew up with faith in an America where hard work and responsibility paid off. They believed in a country where everyone gets a fair shake and does their fair share -- where if you stepped up, did your job, and were loyal to your company, that loyalty would be rewarded with a decent salary and good benefits; maybe a raise once in a while. If you did the right thing, you could make it. Anybody could make it in America.

For decades now, Americans have watched that compact erode. They have seen the decks too often stacked against them. And they know that Washington has not always put their interests first.

The people of this country work hard to meet their responsibilities. The question tonight is whether we’ll meet ours. The question is whether, in the face of an ongoing national crisis, we can stop the political circus and actually do something to help the economy. (Applause.) The question is -- the question is whether we can restore some of the fairness and security that has defined this nation since our beginning.

Those of us here tonight can’t solve all our nation’s woes. Ultimately, our recovery will be driven not by Washington, but by our businesses and our workers. But we can help. We can make a difference. There are steps we can take right now to improve people’s lives.

I am sending this Congress a plan that you should pass right away. It’s called the American Jobs Act. There should be nothing controversial about this piece of legislation. Everything in here is the kind of proposal that’s been supported by both Democrats and Republicans -- including many who sit here tonight. And everything in this bill will be paid for. Everything. (Applause.)

The purpose of the American Jobs Act is simple: to put more people back to work and more money in the pockets of those who are working. It will create more jobs for construction workers, more jobs for teachers, more jobs for veterans, and more jobs for long-term unemployed. (Applause.) It will provide -- it will provide a tax break for companies who hire new workers, and it will cut payroll taxes in half for every working American and every small business. (Applause.) It will provide a jolt to an economy that has stalled, and give companies confidence that if they invest and if they hire, there will be customers for their products and services. You should pass this jobs plan right away. (Applause.)

Everyone here knows that small businesses are where most new jobs begin. And you know that while corporate profits have come roaring back, smaller companies haven’t. So for everyone who speaks so passionately about making life easier for “job creators,” this plan is for you. (Applause.)

Pass this jobs bill -- pass this jobs bill, and starting tomorrow, small businesses will get a tax cut if they hire new workers or if they raise workers’ wages. Pass this jobs bill, and all small business owners will also see their payroll taxes cut in half next year. (Applause.) If you have 50 employees -- if you have 50 employees making an average salary, that’s an $80,000 tax cut. And all businesses will be able to continue writing off the investments they make in 2012.

It’s not just Democrats who have supported this kind of proposal. Fifty House Republicans have proposed the same payroll tax cut that’s in this plan. You should pass it right away. (Applause.)

Pass this jobs bill, and we can put people to work rebuilding America. Everyone here knows we have badly decaying roads and bridges all over the country. Our highways are clogged with traffic. Our skies are the most congested in the world. It’s an outrage.

Building a world-class transportation system is part of what made us a economic superpower. And now we’re going to sit back and watch China build newer airports and faster railroads? At a time when millions of unemployed construction workers could build them right here in America? (Applause.)

There are private construction companies all across America just waiting to get to work. There’s a bridge that needs repair between Ohio and Kentucky that’s on one of the busiest trucking routes in North America. A public transit project in Houston that will help clear up one of the worst areas of traffic in the country. And there are schools throughout this country that desperately need renovating. How can we expect our kids to do their best in places that are literally falling apart? This is America. Every child deserves a great school -- and we can give it to them, if we act now. (Applause.)

The American Jobs Act will repair and modernize at least 35,000 schools. It will put people to work right now fixing roofs and windows, installing science labs and high-speed Internet in classrooms all across this country. It will rehabilitate homes and businesses in communities hit hardest by foreclosures. It will jumpstart thousands of transportation projects all across the country. And to make sure the money is properly spent, we’re building on reforms we’ve already put in place. No more earmarks. No more boondoggles. No more bridges to nowhere. We’re cutting the red tape that prevents some of these projects from getting started as quickly as possible. And we’ll set up an independent fund to attract private dollars and issue loans based on two criteria: how badly a construction project is needed and how much good it will do for the economy. (Applause.)

This idea came from a bill written by a Texas Republican and a Massachusetts Democrat. The idea for a big boost in construction is supported by America’s largest business organization and America’s largest labor organization. It’s the kind of proposal that’s been supported in the past by Democrats and Republicans alike. You should pass it right away. (Applause.)

Pass this jobs bill, and thousands of teachers in every state will go back to work. These are the men and women charged with preparing our children for a world where the competition has never been tougher. But while they’re adding teachers in places like South Korea, we’re laying them off in droves. It’s unfair to our kids. It undermines their future and ours. And it has to stop. Pass this bill, and put our teachers back in the classroom where they belong. (Applause.)

Pass this jobs bill, and companies will get extra tax credits if they hire America’s veterans. We ask these men and women to leave their careers, leave their families, risk their lives to fight for our country. The last thing they should have to do is fight for a job when they come home. (Applause.)

Pass this bill, and hundreds of thousands of disadvantaged young people will have the hope and the dignity of a summer job next year. And their parents -- (applause) -- their parents, low-income Americans who desperately want to work, will have more ladders out of poverty.

Pass this jobs bill, and companies will get a $4,000 tax credit if they hire anyone who has spent more than six months looking for a job. (Applause.) We have to do more to help the long-term unemployed in their search for work. This jobs plan builds on a program in Georgia that several Republican leaders have highlighted, where people who collect unemployment insurance participate in temporary work as a way to build their skills while they look for a permanent job. The plan also extends unemployment insurance for another year. (Applause.) If the millions of unemployed Americans stopped getting this insurance, and stopped using that money for basic necessities, it would be a devastating blow to this economy. Democrats and Republicans in this chamber have supported unemployment insurance plenty of times in the past. And in this time of prolonged hardship, you should pass it again -- right away. (Applause.)

Pass this jobs bill, and the typical working family will get a $1,500 tax cut next year. Fifteen hundred dollars that would have been taken out of your pocket will go into your pocket. This expands on the tax cut that Democrats and Republicans already passed for this year. If we allow that tax cut to expire -- if we refuse to act -- middle-class families will get hit with a tax increase at the worst possible time. We can’t let that happen. I know that some of you have sworn oaths to never raise any taxes on anyone for as long as you live. Now is not the time to carve out an exception and raise middle-class taxes, which is why you should pass this bill right away. (Applause.)

This is the American Jobs Act. It will lead to new jobs for construction workers, for teachers, for veterans, for first responders, young people and the long-term unemployed. It will provide tax credits to companies that hire new workers, tax relief to small business owners, and tax cuts for the middle class. And here’s the other thing I want the American people to know: The American Jobs Act will not add to the deficit. It will be paid for. And here’s how. (Applause.)

The agreement we passed in July will cut government spending by about $1 trillion over the next 10 years. It also charges this Congress to come up with an additional $1.5 trillion in savings by Christmas. Tonight, I am asking you to increase that amount so that it covers the full cost of the American Jobs Act. And a week from Monday, I’ll be releasing a more ambitious deficit plan -- a plan that will not only cover the cost of this jobs bill, but stabilize our debt in the long run. (Applause.)

This approach is basically the one I’ve been advocating for months. In addition to the trillion dollars of spending cuts I’ve already signed into law, it’s a balanced plan that would reduce the deficit by making additional spending cuts, by making modest adjustments to health care programs like Medicare and Medicaid, and by reforming our tax code in a way that asks the wealthiest Americans and biggest corporations to pay their fair share. (Applause.) What’s more, the spending cuts wouldn’t happen so abruptly that they’d be a drag on our economy, or prevent us from helping small businesses and middle-class families get back on their feet right away.

Now, I realize there are some in my party who don’t think we should make any changes at all to Medicare and Medicaid, and I understand their concerns. But here’s the truth: Millions of Americans rely on Medicare in their retirement. And millions more will do so in the future. They pay for this benefit during their working years. They earn it. But with an aging population and rising health care costs, we are spending too fast to sustain the program. And if we don’t gradually reform the system while protecting current beneficiaries, it won’t be there when future retirees need it. We have to reform Medicare to strengthen it. (Applause.)

I am also -- I’m also well aware that there are many Republicans who don’t believe we should raise taxes on those who are most fortunate and can best afford it. But here is what every American knows: While most people in this country struggle to make ends meet, a few of the most affluent citizens and most profitable corporations enjoy tax breaks and loopholes that nobody else gets. Right now, Warren Buffett pays a lower tax rate than his secretary -- an outrage he has asked us to fix. (Laughter.) We need a tax code where everyone gets a fair shake and where everybody pays their fair share. (Applause.) And by the way, I believe the vast majority of wealthy Americans and CEOs are willing to do just that if it helps the economy grow and gets our fiscal house in order.

I’ll also offer ideas to reform a corporate tax code that stands as a monument to special interest influence in Washington. By eliminating pages of loopholes and deductions, we can lower one of the highest corporate tax rates in the world. (Applause.) Our tax code should not give an advantage to companies that can afford the best-connected lobbyists. It should give an advantage to companies that invest and create jobs right here in the United States of America. (Applause.)

So we can reduce this deficit, pay down our debt, and pay for this jobs plan in the process. But in order to do this, we have to decide what our priorities are. We have to ask ourselves, “What’s the best way to grow the economy and create jobs?”

Should we keep tax loopholes for oil companies? Or should we use that money to give small business owners a tax credit when they hire new workers? Because we can’t afford to do both. Should we keep tax breaks for millionaires and billionaires? Or should we put teachers back to work so our kids can graduate ready for college and good jobs? (Applause.) Right now, we can’t afford to do both.

This isn’t political grandstanding. This isn’t class warfare. This is simple math. (Laughter.) This is simple math. These are real choices. These are real choices that we’ve got to make. And I’m pretty sure I know what most Americans would choose. It’s not even close. And it’s time for us to do what’s right for our future. (Applause.)

Now, the American Jobs Act answers the urgent need to create jobs right away. But we can’t stop there. As I’ve argued since I ran for this office, we have to look beyond the immediate crisis and start building an economy that lasts into the future -- an economy that creates good, middle-class jobs that pay well and offer security. We now live in a world where technology has made it possible for companies to take their business anywhere. If we want them to start here and stay here and hire here, we have to be able to out-build and out-educate and out-innovate every other country on Earth. (Applause.)

And this task of making America more competitive for the long haul, that’s a job for all of us. For government and for private companies. For states and for local communities -- and for every American citizen. All of us will have to up our game. All of us will have to change the way we do business.

My administration can and will take some steps to improve our competitiveness on our own. For example, if you’re a small business owner who has a contract with the federal government, we’re going to make sure you get paid a lot faster than you do right now. (Applause.) We’re also planning to cut away the red tape that prevents too many rapidly growing startup companies from raising capital and going public. And to help responsible homeowners, we’re going to work with federal housing agencies to help more people refinance their mortgages at interest rates that are now near 4 percent. That’s a step -- (applause) -- I know you guys must be for this, because that’s a step that can put more than $2,000 a year in a family’s pocket, and give a lift to an economy still burdened by the drop in housing prices.

So, some things we can do on our own. Other steps will require congressional action. Today you passed reform that will speed up the outdated patent process, so that entrepreneurs can turn a new idea into a new business as quickly as possible. That’s the kind of action we need. Now it’s time to clear the way for a series of trade agreements that would make it easier for American companies to sell their products in Panama and Colombia and South Korea -– while also helping the workers whose jobs have been affected by global competition. (Applause.) If Americans can buy Kias and Hyundais, I want to see folks in South Korea driving Fords and Chevys and Chryslers. (Applause.) I want to see more products sold around the world stamped with the three proud words: “Made in America.” That’s what we need to get done. (Applause.)

And on all of our efforts to strengthen competitiveness, we need to look for ways to work side by side with America’s businesses. That’s why I’ve brought together a Jobs Council of leaders from different industries who are developing a wide range of new ideas to help companies grow and create jobs.

Already, we’ve mobilized business leaders to train 10,000 American engineers a year, by providing company internships and training. Other businesses are covering tuition for workers who learn new skills at community colleges. And we’re going to make sure the next generation of manufacturing takes root not in China or Europe, but right here, in the United States of America. (Applause) If we provide the right incentives, the right support -- and if we make sure our trading partners play by the rules -- we can be the ones to build everything from fuel-efficient cars to advanced biofuels to semiconductors that we sell all around the world. That’s how America can be number one again. And that’s how America will be number one again. (Applause.)

Now, I realize that some of you have a different theory on how to grow the economy. Some of you sincerely believe that the only solution to our economic challenges is to simply cut most government spending and eliminate most government regulations. (Applause.)

Well, I agree that we can’t afford wasteful spending, and I’ll work with you, with Congress, to root it out. And I agree that there are some rules and regulations that do put an unnecessary burden on businesses at a time when they can least afford it. (Applause.) That’s why I ordered a review of all government regulations. So far, we’ve identified over 500 reforms, which will save billions of dollars over the next few years. (Applause.) We should have no more regulation than the health, safety and security of the American people require. Every rule should meet that common-sense test. (Applause.)

But what we can’t do -- what I will not do -- is let this economic crisis be used as an excuse to wipe out the basic protections that Americans have counted on for decades. (Applause.) I reject the idea that we need to ask people to choose between their jobs and their safety. I reject the argument that says for the economy to grow, we have to roll back protections that ban hidden fees by credit card companies, or rules that keep our kids from being exposed to mercury, or laws that prevent the health insurance industry from shortchanging patients. I reject the idea that we have to strip away collective bargaining rights to compete in a global economy. (Applause.) We shouldn’t be in a race to the bottom, where we try to offer the cheapest labor and the worst pollution standards. America should be in a race to the top. And I believe we can win that race. (Applause.)

In fact, this larger notion that the only thing we can do to restore prosperity is just dismantle government, refund everybody’s money, and let everyone write their own rules, and tell everyone they’re on their own -- that’s not who we are. That’s not the story of America.

Yes, we are rugged individualists. Yes, we are strong and self-reliant. And it has been the drive and initiative of our workers and entrepreneurs that has made this economy the engine and the envy of the world.

But there’s always been another thread running throughout our history -- a belief that we’re all connected, and that there are some things we can only do together, as a nation.

We all remember Abraham Lincoln as the leader who saved our Union. Founder of the Republican Party. But in the middle of a civil war, he was also a leader who looked to the future -- a Republican President who mobilized government to build the Transcontinental Railroad -- (applause) -- launch the National Academy of Sciences, set up the first land grant colleges. (Applause.) And leaders of both parties have followed the example he set.

Ask yourselves -- where would we be right now if the people who sat here before us decided not to build our highways, not to build our bridges, our dams, our airports? What would this country be like if we had chosen not to spend money on public high schools, or research universities, or community colleges? Millions of returning heroes, including my grandfather, had the opportunity to go to school because of the G.I. Bill. Where would we be if they hadn’t had that chance? (Applause.)

How many jobs would it have cost us if past Congresses decided not to support the basic research that led to the Internet and the computer chip? What kind of country would this be if this chamber had voted down Social Security or Medicare just because it violated some rigid idea about what government could or could not do? (Applause.) How many Americans would have suffered as a result?

No single individual built America on their own. We built it together. We have been, and always will be, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all; a nation with responsibilities to ourselves and with responsibilities to one another. And members of Congress, it is time for us to meet our responsibilities. (Applause.)

Every proposal I’ve laid out tonight is the kind that’s been supported by Democrats and Republicans in the past. Every proposal I’ve laid out tonight will be paid for. And every proposal is designed to meet the urgent needs of our people and our communities.

Now, I know there’s been a lot of skepticism about whether the politics of the moment will allow us to pass this jobs plan -- or any jobs plan. Already, we’re seeing the same old press releases and tweets flying back and forth. Already, the media has proclaimed that it’s impossible to bridge our differences. And maybe some of you have decided that those differences are so great that we can only resolve them at the ballot box.

But know this: The next election is 14 months away. And the people who sent us here -- the people who hired us to work for them -- they don’t have the luxury of waiting 14 months. (Applause.) Some of them are living week to week, paycheck to paycheck, even day to day. They need help, and they need it now.

I don’t pretend that this plan will solve all our problems. It should not be, nor will it be, the last plan of action we propose. What’s guided us from the start of this crisis hasn’t been the search for a silver bullet. It’s been a commitment to stay at it -- to be persistent -- to keep trying every new idea that works, and listen to every good proposal, no matter which party comes up with it.

Regardless of the arguments we’ve had in the past, regardless of the arguments we will have in the future, this plan is the right thing to do right now. You should pass it. (Applause.) And I intend to take that message to every corner of this country. (Applause.) And I ask -- I ask every American who agrees to lift your voice: Tell the people who are gathered here tonight that you want action now. Tell Washington that doing nothing is not an option. Remind us that if we act as one nation and one people, we have it within our power to meet this challenge.

President Kennedy once said, “Our problems are man-made –- therefore they can be solved by man. And man can be as big as he wants.”

These are difficult years for our country. But we are Americans. We are tougher than the times we live in, and we are bigger than our politics have been. So let’s meet the moment. Let’s get to work, and let’s show the world once again why the United States of America remains the greatest nation on Earth. (Applause.)

Thank you very much. God bless you, and God bless the United States of America. (Applause.)

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Sources:
White House
Youtube
catch4all.com, Sandra Englund, September10, 2011

President Obama on Labor Day

President Obama on Labor Day
"Supporting Middle Class
is key to Recover Economic"

President Obama made special speech in Detroit which emphasized that to Fully Restore the Middle Class in America. President Obama wants to make sure that families get a fair shake in work that was able to help the workers build the greatest middle class the world has ever known and will pay for 40-hour work week and weekends, that included paid leave and pensions, and the minimum wage and health insurance, and Social Security and Medicare -- the cornerstones of middle-class security with their work. President Obama stated that to give more opportunities to all those construction workers who lost their jobs to rebuild America which was supported by both Democrats and Republicans in the past.

A month ago President Obama mentioned that the Congress reached an agreement that’s going to allow us to make some progress in reducing our nation’s budget deficit and was rebuild this economy especially for the middle class while deficit reduction has to be part of our economic strategy which was the most importantly, job creation that leads the Democrats and Republicans to work together to help grow this economy crisis.

Part of the plan was to tax cuts for working and middle class families so people will have more money in their paychecks next year which would help millions of people to make ends meet. In addtion, the extra money for expenses means businesses will have more customers, and will be in a better position to hire. In that, President Obama proposed a new tax credit for companies that hire veterans who are looking for work after serving their country in order to support and helping to skilled people returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, and companies that could benefit from their abilities. Although there are so many unemployees are waiting to have more job creation. Which relates to talk about that KOR-US FTA will creating initial 70,000 jobs when the congress (Senate and the House of representatives) approve soon which will give Gross Domestic Product and around $10 billion to annual merchandise exports to Korea.

The FTA would increase access to the Korean market and ensure greater transparency and fair treatment for U.S. suppliers of financial services. The FTA would address nontariff barriers in a wide range of sectors and includes strong provisions on competition policy, labor and environment, and transparency and regulatory due process.

Office of the United States Trade Representative (Executive Office of the President) has the faith that The KORUS FTA would also provide U.S. suppliers with greater access to the Korean government procurement market. In addition to strengthening our economic partnership, the KORUS FTA would help to solidify the two countries' long-standing geostrategic alliance.

Also FTA would increase access to the Korean market and ensure greater transparency and fair treatment for U.S. suppliers of financial services. The FTA would address nontariff barriers in a wide range of sectors and includes strong provisions on competition policy, labor and environment, and transparency and regulatory due process, it would also provide U.S. suppliers with greater access to the Korean government procurement market. In addition to strengthening our economic partnership, the KORUS FTA would help to solidify the two countries' long-standing geostrategic alliance.

As the first U.S. FTA with a North Asian partner, the KORUS FTA could be a model for trade agreements for the rest of the region, and underscore the U.S. commitment to, and engagement in, the Asia-Pacific region.

It’s time Congress finally passed a set of trade deals that would help displaced workers looking for new jobs, and that would allow our businesses to sell more products in countries not only in South Korea which many businesses and community leaders are waiting to be approved by congress as soon as possible also in Asia and South America –U.S. products to export everywhere. With all that, Job will be start creating to support the middle class and etc... even further economic will start recover in all nation and harmonizes the global economic.

In addition, Congress gets back this month in September, President want to move quickly on things that will help the economy create jobs right now –- extending the payroll tax credit to put $1,000 in the pocket of the average worker, extending unemployment insurance to help people get back on their feet, putting construction workers back to work rebuilding America. Those are all steps that we can take right now that will make a difference.

Even, by the end of this month transportation bill to pass by congress which will allow creating jobs, At the end of September, if Congress doesn’t act, funding for our roads and bridges will expire. This would put a stop to highway construction, bridge repair, mass transit systems and other important projects that keep our country moving quickly and safely. And it would affect thousands of construction workers and their families who depend on the jobs created by these projects to make ends meet which has renewed it seven times over the last two years.

Allowing this bill to expire would be a disaster for our infrastructure and our economy. Right away, over 4,000 workers would be furloughed without pay. If it’s delayed for just 10 days, it will lose nearly $1 billion in highway funding that we can never get back which can not be loger waited and almost 1 million workers could be in danger of losing their jobs over the next year, if this bill is not pass by the congress including In Virginia, 19,000 jobs are at risk. In Minnesota, more than 12,000, and the wrose in Florida, over 35,000 people could be out of work without the congress support.

See more detail via youtube (NEED TRANSPORTATION BILL TO PASS ):

WE ALL ARE WAITING CONGRESS TO PASS THE BILLS TO SUPPORT RECOVERY ECONOMIC AND JOB CREATION.

--------------------------------------------------

White House

Office of the United States Trade Representatives

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catch4all.com, Sandra Englund, September 6, 2011

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Creating Jobs and Getting
All Americans Back to Work

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

____________________________________________________________________________

For Immediate Release

August 6th, 2011

Creating Jobs and Getting All Americans Back to Work
Washington, DC

This week, Congress reached an agreement that’s going to allow us to make some progress in reducing our nation’s budget deficit. And through this compromise, both parties are going to have to work together on a larger plan to get our nation’s finances in order. That’s important. We’ve got to make sure that Washington lives within its means, just like families do. In the long term, the health of our economy depends on it.

But in the short term, our urgent mission has to be getting this economy growing faster and creating jobs. That’s what’s on people’s minds; that’s what matters to families in this country. And the fact is, this has been a tumultuous year for the economy. We’ve weathered the Arab Spring’s effect on oil and gas prices. The Japanese earthquake and tsunami’s effect on supply chains. The economic situation in Europe. And in Washington, there was a contentious debate over our nation’s budget that nearly dragged our country into financial crisis.

So our job right now has to be doing whatever we can to help folks find work; to help create the climate where a business can put up that job listing; where incomes are rising again for people. We’ve got to rebuild this economy and the sense of security that middle class has felt slipping away for years. And while deficit reduction has to be part of our economic strategy, it’s not the only thing we have to do.

We need Democrats and Republicans to work together to help grow this economy. We’ve got to put politics aside to get some things done. That’s what the American people expect of us. And there are a number of steps that Congress can take right away, when they return in September.

We need to extend tax cuts for working and middle class families so you have more money in your paychecks next year. That would help millions of people to make ends meet. And that extra money for expenses means businesses will have more customers, and will be in a better position to hire.

Yesterday, I proposed a new tax credit for companies that hire veterans who are looking for work after serving their country. We’ve got a lot of honorable and skilled people returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, and companies that could benefit from their abilities. Let’s put them together.

We need to make sure that millions of workers who are still pounding the pavement looking for jobs are not denied unemployment benefits to carry them through hard times.

We’ve got to cut the red tape that stops too many inventors and entrepreneurs from quickly turning new ideas into thriving businesses – which holds back our whole economy.

It’s time Congress finally passed a set of trade deals that would help displaced workers looking for new jobs, and that would allow our businesses to sell more products in countries in Asia and South America – products stamped with three words: Made in America.

And we ought to give more opportunities to all those construction workers who lost their jobs when the housing boom went bust. We could put them to work right now, by giving loans to companies that want to repair our roads and bridges and airports, helping to rebuild America.

Those are a few commonsense steps that would help the economy. And these are ideas that have been supported by both Democrats and Republicans in the past. So I’m going to keep calling on both parties in Congress to put aside their differences and send these bills to my desk so I can sign them right away. After all, both parties share power. Both parties share responsibility for our progress. Moving our economy and our country forward is not a Democratic or a Republican responsibility; it is our responsibility as Americans.

That’s the spirit we need in Washington right now. That’s how we’ll get this economy growing faster and reach a brighter day.

Thanks for listening, and have a great weekend.

--------------------------------------------------

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catch4all.com, Sandra Englund, July 9th, 2011

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