U.S. Ambassador to Seoul Mark Lippert has called for the full implementation of the South Korea-US free trade agreement(FTA), urging Seoul to completely open its legal services market.

The ambassador made the urge on Wednesday during a forum organized by the Institute for Global Economics in downtown Seoul.

Lippert said that the alliance and economic cooperation between Seoul and Washington are stronger than ever, stressing the need to further reinforce the bilateral partnership in order to guarantee sustainable mutual prosperity.

The top diplomat also called for improving the business environment in South Korea, saying that business conditions in the country still remain unfavorable for foreign firms.

He said that if Seoul fully opens its legal services market, it will help create jobs and increase options for consumers, thus improving legal aid.

The U.S. envoy visited South Korea’s National Assembly in January to demand a revision to a bill on the opening of the nation's legal market, claiming that the bill discriminates foreign law firms and fails to comply with the bilateral FTA.

The bill bans foreign law firms from owning a stake of more than 49 percent in a joint venture with a South Korean firm.