Ron Kirk: “The relationship between the United States and South Korea could not be stronger.”

Failing to lift Jackson-Vanik and extend PNTR will not penalize Russia, nor will it provide a lever with which to change the government's behavior.

We will continue to push Russia to adhere to international norms.

By extending PNTR we can create new markets for our people and support the political and economic changes that the Russian people are seeking.

The issue of assassination of individuals simply because they happen to be trade unionists or the issue of the suppression of the ability of workers to try to collectively bargain are still there.