S. Korea, U.S. to hold annual trade talks this week

South Korea and the United States will discuss anti-dumping and other bilateral issues at their annual trade talks this week, Seoul's trade ministry said Monday. However, senior officials taking part in the two-day meeting that starts in Seoul on Wednesday will not broach the pending free trade accord between the two countries, the ministry said. Seoul and Washington have held regular meetings since 2001 to discuss trade issues. The most recent meeting took place in Washington in May. The free trade deal, first signed in 2007, still awaits parliamentary approval in both countries. The pact was introduced early this month to a parliamentary committee in South Korea and the U.S. Congress is bracing for a vote on deal, with analysts expecting it to be passed before South Korean President Lee Myung-bak makes a state visit to the U.S. next month.