South Korea on Friday approved a free trade deal with India that promises to give two of Asia"s powerhouse economies vastly expanded access to each other"s markets, AP reported. The deal was passed overwhelmingly in the country"s National Assembly, with the margin 192-0 in the 298-seat body and five abstentions. Results were announced by the assembly"s speaker. The two countries signed the accord, known officially as a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, in August in Seoul. Trade between India and South Korea _ Asia"s third- and fourth-largest economies, respectively _ has grown steadily in the past decade and reached $15.6 billion last year. In 2002, it amounted to just $2.6 billion. -- SPA
