S. Korea's finance minister to put priority on national interest in FTA negotiations with U.S.

South Korea will give priority to national interests in talks over the free trade agreement (FTA) with the United States, Finance Minister Kim Dong-yeon said Monday.

The two countries are set to hold a second meeting on U.S. request for the amendment of the five-year-old deal known as KORUS in Washington on Wednesday, U.S. time. The two countries held the first session in Seoul last month.

Kim presided over at a meeting of top economic officials, including Trade Minister Kim Hyun-chong, to discuss Seoul's responses.

Washington has blamed KORUS for its growing trade deficit with Seoul. But South Korea argues the deficit is due to macroeconomic factors and the agreement has benefited both sides. (Yonhap)