bilaterals.org logo
bilaterals.org logo
  1. Negotiations

Korea

The government of South Korea has concluded, or is pursuing negotiations for, a number of bilateral free trade and investment agreements. Korean social movements have been mobilizing in opposition to these ever since the Korea-Chile FTA was proposed. So far, South Korea has signed deals with Chile (2004), EFTA (2004), Singapore (2005), ASEAN (2007) the US (2007, ratified in 2011), Peru (2011) and Turkey (2012). Talks are under way with Canada, China, Mexico, India, the EU and, technically speaking, Japan. Negotiations with Colombia have stalled over Colombia’s demands for access for better terms for its fruit and flower exports than what Korea gives Chile and Peru. Seoul is also looking to open discussions with Mercosur, Malaysia, Mexico and possibly Israel.

last update: May 2012
Photo: Joe Mabel / CC BY-SA 3.0

Research institute recommends inter-Korean trade agreement
9-Aug-2007 Hankyoreh
A private think-tank claims that South and North Korea should work on signing a free trade pact to prompt changes in the communist country and eventually achieve consolidation of the two divided Koreas.
Korea, Russia agree to pilot FTA talks
24-Jul-2007 Chosun Ilbo
Korea has agreed with Russia to launch study group talks on a bilateral free trade agreement in September.
Pres. Roh says Seoul’s FTA with Beijing inevitable
23-May-2007 Chosun Ilbo
Korean President Roh Moo-hyun said Seoul’s signing of a free-trade pact with Beijing is inevitable but the timing must be right.
S. Korean business group calls on gov’t to swiftly start free trade talks with Australia
21-May-2007 Yonhap
South Korea’s top business organization on Monday urged the government to swiftly start free trade talks with Australia, saying a deal would be in the interest of both sides.
South Korea, Australia to begin study of free trade pact this year
16-May-2007 Yonhap
South Korea and Australia will begin a joint study this year to explore a free trade agreement, a senior trade official said Wednesday.
Korea hopeful of trade pact with India by Dec
12-May-2007 Moneycontrol India
South Korea hopes to wrap up a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with India by December 2007. The CEPA would encompass trade in goods and services and investment.
S. Korea to make quick decision on free trade talks with China
25-Apr-2007
South Korea will quickly decide whether or not to launch negotiations for free trade agreements (FTA) with China, Australia and Gulf states, the nation’s top economic policymaker said Wednesday.
Iran, S.Korea to pursue joint trade
9-Apr-2007
Iran and South Korea have signed an agreement to create an exploratory committee aimed at boosting trade and investment between both countries.
FTA fever hits Korea, as negotiations on multiple trade deals underway
6-Apr-2007
As official talks on a free trade agreement (FTA) between South Korea and the U.S. have been completed, attention is focused on possible trade negotiations between Korea and other nations, such as the European Union and China.
South Korea and India seek to cement closer economic partnership
5-Apr-2007 Playfuls
South Korea and India agreed to work towards sealing a comprehensive economic partnership agreement by the end of this year, the Seoul Foreign Ministry said Wednesday.