Kathleen Stephens, US ambassador to South Korea, said Monday that the South Korean government needs to show patience over the ratification of the South Korea-United States free trade agreement (FTA).

The Obama administration needs more time to think over the FTA due to the global economic crisis, a change in US administration, and strong oppositions from the US auto industry, the ambassador said during a meeting hosted by the Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The South Korean government needs to slow down on its move towards the FTA ratification and give the US more time, the ambassador added.

Since the South Korea-US FTA was signed in June 2007, the two parties have had difficulties in winning ratification from both legislative bodies.

The South Korean government is currently pushing for the ratification of the FTA at South Korea's National Assembly, expecting it will in turn pressure the US Congress, South Korea' s Yonhap News Agency said.

(Xinhua News Agency March 16, 2009)