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The U.S. House speaker and other Democrat leaders on Friday stated opposition to a free trade agreement (FTA) with South Korea, saying the deal as negotiated does not address trade barriers, particularly in the auto sector.

Just a day before the FTA signing on Saturday, the joint statement was issued by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles Rangel, and Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee Chairman Sander Levin.

"Properly negotiated, a South Korea-U.S. FTA would provide key benefits to American workers, farmers, and businesses," it said.

"Unfortunately, the (FTA) as currently negotiated is a missed opportunity."

The agreement fails to effectively address "persistent problems" with non-tariff barriers that block access for American manufactured products in South Korea, the statement said.

"That is particularly the case in the automotive sector, where last year South Korea exported more than 700,000 cars into the U.S., while the United States exported fewer than 5,000."

Calling this a reflection of a one-sided trading relationship, the statement said, "As a consequence, we cannot support the FTA as currently negotiated."

After taking control of the Congress this year, the Democrats have been pushing stronger requirements in FTAs with foreign trading partners. Negotiations with South Korea, wrapped up on April 1, were reopened by such congressional demands. Through last-minute consultations, the two governments worked out a final deal to be signed Saturday.

The Democrat leaders also withheld support for the FTA with Colombia, while indicating possible approval of similar deals with Peru and Panama later this year.

WASHINGTON, June 29 (Yonhap News)