- Negotiations
In May 2007, the European Union and South Korea started negotiating a bilateral free trade agreement. It took effect on 1 July 2011.
This deal is part of the EU’s post-2006 "Global Europe" strategy to boost the competitiveness of EU corporations in the world by securing deeper commitments to neoliberal policies from trading partners, including expanded rights for European transnationals. In Korea, the European Union is trying to win equal, if not better, footing against US firms after the conclusion of the US-Korea FTA. (The EU makes stronger demands than the US on Korea in the areas of intellectual property, services, competition policy and environmental standards.)
Social movements from both sides mobilised against the deal’s potential impacts. One flashpoint of concern is for Korea’s agricultural sector, where pig farmers in particular are expected to suffer from an influx of subsidised EU pork as a result of this deal.
last update: May 2012
photo: European External Action Service - EEAS/CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
18-Feb-2009
EU Observer
The EU intends to move ahead with a free-trade agreement currently being negotiated with South Korea despite delays and grumbles from the European car industry.
13-Feb-2009
International Financial Services London, representing banks,
accountants and other financial industries, said it was disappointed
that some European manufacturing groups opposed the deal and were calling
for negotiations to be suspended.
10-Feb-2009
Xinhua
Local media say South Korea wants to finalize the FTA talks within the first quarter this year and make it effective early next year.
5-Feb-2009
IHT
European car makers called Thursday for the European Union to scrap a draft free-trade deal with South Korea, saying it won’t let them increase exports during a sales slump at home.
21-Jan-2009
Earth Times
Car imports remain a major divisive issue. The EU wants South Korea to replace all its existing regulations for European imported cars with international standards.
20-Jan-2009
Morning Star
The European Union should seek big reductions in tariffs and an end to rules that limit trade as part of its negotiations with South Korea on a free trade agreement, the E.U.’s main business group said in a letter released Monday.
17-Jan-2009
Joong Ang Daily
Trade ministers from Korea and the European Union will meet in Seoul next week to iron out divisive issues related to a free trade deal, officials said yesterday.
8-Jan-2009
The government will speed up negotiations with the European Union to clinch a free trade deal with an aim to implement the agreement in January next year.
21-Dec-2008
KBS
South Korea and the EU hope to finalise their FTA in January
14-Dec-2008
South Korea and the European Union will hold a meeting in Vienna this week to resolve contentious issues such as auto trade and rules of origin in their free trade negotiations, Yonhap News reported Sunday quoting officials.