The presidential office has expressed regret over accusations the government flip-flopped in regards to revising the South Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement(FTA).

Hong Jang-pyo, chief presidential secretary for economic affairs said at a briefing Friday that the government has never stated there would be no renegotiation on the KORUS FTA. Instead, Seoul has consistently said it will talk with Washington, keeping every possibility open.

He also denied allegations that South Korea and the U.S. made a secret deal during a bilateral summit in Washington on June 30th.

Hong said there has been no hidden agenda apart from what the two governments announced in a joint statement issued after the summit, adding Seoul is doing its best to prepare for the upcoming negotiations with the U.S.