Remarks by President Obama Honoring Veterans Day in Seoul, South Korea:".......Because the Korean War ended where it began geographically, some ended up using the phrase “Die for a Tie” to describe the sacrifices of those who fought here. But as we look around in this thriving democracy and its grateful, hopeful citizens, one thing is clear: This was no tie. This was victory. [[Hoaa!) [[Applause.)The United States can be proud of the security and progress that our blood and treasure brought to South Korea. But I think that President Obama's words ring hollow based on his unwillingness to leverage his power as Commander-in-Chief and fight for "a victory today" on the free-trade economic front while he was in South Korea:
This was a victory then, and it is a victory today. And 60 years later, a friendship that was forged in a war has become an alliance that has led to greater security and untold progress -- not only in the Republic of Korea, but throughout Asia. That is something that everyone here can be extraordinarily proud of......"Obama, weakened after midterms, reveals limited leverage in failed S. Korea deal
SEOUL - President Obama's failure to secure a free-trade agreement with South Korea reveals in sharp relief the limits of his leverage overseas after a devastating midterm election....
Administration officials say the South Korea deal, which Obama inherited mostly complete from the Bush administration, would increase exports of U.S. goods by $10 billion annually and support 70,000 jobs in the United States.
Officials were aiming to finish the deal before Obama sat down Thursday with with South Korean President Lee Myung-bak. But talks foundered, mostly on issues involving the auto and beef markets, and the two leaders were left with nothing more to announce than that they would keep working....
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