SEOUL -- President Barack Obama pledged to move forward on a free-trade accord with South Korea that has been stuck for two years, but few expect much movement soon in Congress.

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U.S. President Barack Obama and South Korean President Lee Myung-Bak (R) attend a joint press conference at the presidential house on November 19, 2009 in Seoul, South Korea.

Free trade is a toxic issue for many Democrats. Many observers say Mr. Obama will be loath to force Democratic lawmakers to a vote on a trade agreement with South Korea amid a bruising battle over health-care legislation and before midterm elections a year from now.

"It's hard to imagine how you get the agreement through Congress without really poking at some sensitive issues in...