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Korea

Twelve-country report on FTAs
15-Dec-2004 ANN
A report on the status of FTA fever in 12 Asian countries: Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam.
Gov’t seeks ’Kaesong provision’ in future FTAs
14-Dec-2004
The South Korean government said that it will seek provisions in future free trade talks that will permit preferential duties for products from the Kaesong Industrial Complex in North Korea so that they will be treated as if produced in the South.
S. Korea, US to hold preliminary meeting to explore FTA
11-Dec-2004 Yonhap
South Korea and the United States will hold working level meetings early next year to explore the feasibility of a free trade agreement (FTA) between the two countries
Agriculture reforms go against Korea’s grain
10-Dec-2004 Asia Times
In excluding agriculture from FTA negotiations, the South Korean government is setting itself up for even greater domestic backlash when multilateral negotiations pry open a sector insulated from any form of competition.
Analysis: South Korea strives for FTAs
5-Dec-2004 World Peace Herald
South Korea, which has long remained out of the race for free trade zones, has geared up for high-profile efforts to jump on the free trade bandwagon, which could ensure more benefits to its export-driven economy.
Seoul to start FTA talks with ASEAN in 2005
24-Nov-2004 Korea Times
South Korea will start negotiations next year for a free trade agreement (FTA) with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Roh, Lula agree to launch study into Korea-Mercosur FTA
17-Nov-2004 Yonhap
South Korea and Brazil have agreed to launch a joint feasibility study into signing a Free Trade Agreement between South Korea and the South American common market of Mercosur.
ASEAN-Korea free trade talks set to start
8-Nov-2004
Negotiations on the proposed ASEAN-Korea Free Trade Agreement (AKFTA) is expected to commence next year as ASEAN and Korean leaders are seen to favorably endorse the recommendations at the forthcoming ASEAN-Korea Summit this month.
Korea must choose between FTA and screen quota: US Ambassador
2-Nov-2004 Digital Chosun
US ambassador to Korea Christopher Hill said on Monday that the Korean government and people had to choose between an FTA and Korea’s screen quota system.
Japan, S Korea hold free trade talks amidst demos
1-Nov-2004 AP
Japan and South Korea opened a new round of free trade talks in Tokyo as nearly 150 labor union members from the two countries clashed with police during a demonstration to oppose the deal.
South Korea: Indefinite general strike planned
25-Oct-2004 GLW
Korean trade union and social organisations have worked together in recent months to stop the Japan-Korea FTA, arguing that it will result in the abolition of more regulations protecting workers rights, and more privatisation of public services. They also say the average citizens’ access to medical treatment and drugs will also be undermined by the FTA’s excuse to “protect” intellectual property rights.
S. Korean lawmakers sound alarm over FTA with Japan
23-Oct-2004 Asia Pulse
A group of lawmakers from South Korea’s ruling party Friday joined the chorus of caution about the possible adverse impact of a free trade agreement (FTA) with Japan on the local market.
Korean screen quota system in dispute - again
20-Oct-2004 Korea Herald
The dispute about Korea`s screen quota system is flaring up again, with government officials squaring off against the local movie industry over whether the "protectionist" measure should be scrapped.
Protective law demanded ahead of Korea-Japan FTA
19-Oct-2004 Korea Times
Korea’s four major business organizations have urged the government to enact a special law ahead of a free trade agreement (FTA) with Japan in order to protect domestic companies from negative effects of the pact.
South Korea to discuss FTA with EFTA
13-Oct-2004 Asia Pulse
South Korea will hold a second round of joint studies on a free trade agreement this week in with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), which is made up of Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.
US envoy stresses need for FTA with Korea
5-Oct-2004
U.S. Ambassador to Korea Christopher R. Hill called for the quick conclusion of a Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) and the abolishment of the screen quota system during the General Membership Meeting with American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM) Tuesday at Shilla Hotel in central Seoul.
South Korea seeking trade agreement with Mercosur
29-Sep-2004
South Korean President Roh Moo-Hyun will meet with Latin American leaders next months to seeka free trade agreement, local press reported Tuesday.
We denounce the Korea-Japan FTA
29-Sep-2004 Social Movements Network
The governments of Korea and Japan have come together today, 350km away from Seoul, for their fifth negotiation to consolidate a free trade agreement (FTA) between the two countries. Ever since the negotiations were initiated last December, many NGOs and people’s organizations have shown concern over the planned FTA.
Simultaneous pursuit of trade pacts more desirable: S. Korean FM
28-Sep-2004 Asia Pulse
Visiting South Korean Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon said on Friday it is "more desirable" to seek free trade agreements (FTAs) with many countries at the same time than to pursue bilateral agreements one at a time.
Korea’s Trade Deficit With Chile Widens
9-Sep-2004
The nation’s trade deficit with Chile widened to $528 million in the five months since a free trade agreement (FTA) took effect on April 1.