[By NBC-1TV H. J Yook]AMCHAM Korea expressed strong support for U.S. President Barack Obama’s announcement at the G-20 Summit in Canada on Saturday that he will move forward with the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA) in an early timeframe.

President Obama stated after meeting with South Korean President Myung-bak Lee that he aims to resolve outstanding issues prior to his visit to Seoul for the G20 Summit in November and to present the agreement to the U.S. Congress in the few months that follow.

“President Obama has shown the priority he is putting on this important deal by setting a specific timetable for action on remaining issues and for submission to the Congress,” said David Ruch, the Chamber’s Chairman, and Country Manager of United Airlines.

“The deal will significantly benefit both economies by boosting trade and creating new jobs, and we commend both governments’ efforts to move forward on this important agreement,” said Chairman Ruch. “AMCHAM Korea stands ready to assist in any way.”

“We are confident that the timeline President Obama outlined is achievable," added Amy Jackson, AMCHAM Korea’s President. “When he made his announcement, President Obama stressed the extraordinary friendship and alliance between our two countries.

The implementation of the KOURS FTA will add a 3rd pillar to the Korea-U.S. relationship, making it even stronger and more reflective of all the ties that bind us."

AMCHAM Korea has been a long-term and active supporter of the KORUS FTA. Each year since the agreement was signed, AMCHAM has sent several delegations to Washington D.C. to meet with leading policy makers from the Administration and the U.S. Congress to advocate the benefits of the agreement to both economies. Most recently, an AMCHAM delegation visited Washington in May 2010 to push for early ratification of the agreement.