Ford wants "rapid" sales from Korea trade deal-exec

* "Nobody's talking about a quota," Ford executive says

* USTR Kirk says still gathering information for proposal

By Doug Palmer

WASHINGTON, July 26 (Reuters) - Ford Motor Co (F.N) has asked President Barack Obama's administration for changes in a free trade pact with South Korea that would trigger a "rapid" jump in U.S. auto sales to that country, a company executive said on Monday.

"We want to see complete elimination of Korean barriers to the market. We want to see a rapid increase in imports. We want to see it done in an enforceable way," said Steve Biegun, Ford vice president for international governmental affairs.

However, Biegun insisted that Ford is not asking for a guaranteed share of South Korea's new-car market, which he estimated at about $30 billion annually.

"Nobody's talking about a quota ... We don't need a quota. We do need an open market," Biegun told reporters after an event with U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk to unveil the company's new Explorer sport-utility vehicle.

Ford has been one of the biggest opponents of the U.S.-South Korea Free Trade Agreement negotiated and signed three years ago by the administration of then-President George W. Bush but never approved by Congress.

Chrysler also opposes the agreement in its current form, while General Motors [GM.UL], which is the principal owner of GM Daewoo in South Korea, has been neutral on the pact.

Both Ford and the United Auto Workers union complain the agreement fails to tear down a number of longtime "non-tariff" barriers that have limited U.S. auto exports to South Korea to around 6,000 to 8,000 per year.

"The Koreans have to move (on autos for Congress to approve the pact). It's really going to be up to the Koreans, if they're willing to make the steps necessary to open up the market," Biegun said.

Obama has said he wants to resolve auto and beef trade issues still blocking the agreement by November so he can submit the agreement to Congress for approval early next year.

Kirk told reporters he still does not have a concrete proposal to give to South Korea, but has listened closely to suggestions made by Ford, the UAW and members of Congress to "come up with what we think is a workable list."

"Ford has been involved from the beginning and continues to educate us not only on the challenges, but the opportunities they see," he said.

Kirk expressed confidence the two countries could work out an agreement by the time Obama visits South Korea in November for a Group of 20 countries summit.

Biegun also said he was hopeful, but noted there are some members of Congress who think it can't be done.

(Reporting by Doug Palmer; Editing by Eric Beech)