By Senator Paul Shin

My fellow citizens, I am writing you today to inform you of an important piece of legislation moving through Washington DC that may have a profound impact on the United States in general and Washington State in particular.

At this time, the Congress is considering passage of the U.S.-Korea Trade Agreement or KORUS. The eventual passage of this free trade agreement between the United States and Korea would be nothing short of a boom for our state, meaning billions of dollars for the economy and hundreds of jobs, at a time when they are badly needed.

To put it plainly, this agreement just makes sense. South Korea is the seventh-largest trade partner that the United States has and we in turn are South Korea’s third-largest partner. A large part of that trade flows through Washington state, making South Korea the number-four destination for trade exports and the fifth largest source of products imported to Washington’s ports, Increased trade would mean more positions available at those ports and on the roads and rail that carry the products to the water’s edge. Sailing from the ports of Washington state as opposed to other West Coast ports also move the products there faster — 26 hours faster to be exact.

In addition to the jobs created by the increased trade, products produced by our farmers and manufacturers in Washington are vital to South Korea’s growing economy. Transportation equipment such as cars, car parts, aircraft and other items will see a big boost if tariffs are reduced by KORUS. Computers and other electronic products have accounted for a yearly average of $122 million of our states merchandise exports to South Korea from 2008 to 2010. In addition to manufactured products, the fruits of the labors of Washington’s farmers also find their way across the Pacific to South Korea. Popular Washington products like apples, dairy and beef have all been protected by tariff barriers for years, but the passage of KORUS would improve the access to South Korea for US exporters.

While many question the value of free trade agreements, the numbers show that the agreements succeed. Since the passage of the 2004 U.S.-Chile trade agreement, Washington’s exports to the South American country have grown by 1,021 percent. Think of the impact KORUS could have on Washington.

Earlier this year, a Senate Joint Memorial supporting the passage of the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement failed to pass out of the Legislature, despite the support of both Democratic and Republican lawmakers. Despite that setback, I have written to President Obama detailing the importance of the agreement and the impact it would have in promoting a positive relationship between Washington State and our trade partners.

In closing, I can only describe the KORUS agreement as a win-win for both South Korea and the State of Washington. The author Victor Hugo wrote, “There is nothing more powerful than an idea whose time has come.” This is such an idea. This growing country is looking for partners to help continue its expansion, and the workers of Washington — whether they are in factories and ports or on the farms — can benefit from that search and the eventual passage of this long overdue agreement.