By Na Jeong-ju
Staff Reporter

South Korea has asked the United States to accept the diplomatic credentials of former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo as its new ambassador to Washington, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said Tuesday.

Han will be able to receive an answer as early as next month, the ministry said.

''It usually takes three to four weeks for the U.S. to finish the procedure of accepting new diplomats from other countries,'' a ministry spokesman said. ''It may take longer than usual for Han because the U.S. is busy with the launch of a new administration.''

Han will start his work as soon as he receives approval from the U.S. One of his immediate missions is to address the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA), according to the spokesman.

In announcing a Cabinet shakeup on Jan. 18, President Lee Myung-bak named Han as the ambassador to the U.S., replacing Lee Tae-sik. Han served as prime minister and finance minister under former President Roh Moo-hyun.

After Korea signed the KORUS FTA in April in 2007, then-Prime Minister Han said, ''The deal was the most crucial step ahead of the country for joining the ranks of advanced countries, a cornerstone to strengthening the nation's economic competitiveness.''

U.S. President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hilary Clinton have indicated the U.S. will push for renegotiating the deal with South Korea to address a trade imbalance. Korea, however, has ruled out the negotiation.

jj@koreatimes.co.kr