- Negotiations
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
22-Apr-2025
Korea Herald
South Korea and Thailand are conducting their fifth round of negotiations this week in Bangkok to finalize an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) aimed at deepening trade and investment ties. The talks, led by senior trade officials from both countries, cover 13 key areas including goods, services, investment, intellectual property, and sustainable development.
11-Apr-2025
Business Korea
The Korean government announced plans to accelerate the resumption of free trade agreement negotiations with Mexico.
8-Apr-2025
Yonhap
The top trade officials of South Korea and Morocco discussed ways to launch negotiations for a bilateral economic partnership agreement.
10-Mar-2025
Business Korea
The fourth round of enhancement negotiations for the FTA between South Korea and the United Kingdom is scheduled from March 10 to 14 in London. Following the implementation of a bilateral FTA in 2021, the two countries are now working to update the agreement to reflect new trade norms and deepen economic cooperation, focusing on areas such as trade and gender equality, digital trade, and the bioeconomy.
16-Jan-2025
Korea Times
South Korea and China have resumed talks to expand their existing free trade agreement. The focus of the 10th round of negotiations is to include the service and investment sectors, building upon the initial FTA implemented in 2015.
9-Jan-2025
Korea Herald
South Korea and Pakistan have agreed to begin negotiations for an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) to increase bilateral trade. The EPA, announced during a meeting between trade ministers in Seoul, aims to create a beneficial trade network, focusing on areas like digital technology, IT, and the automobile sector.
3-Dec-2024
Hespress English
South Korean officials have expressed keen interest in accelerating negotiations for an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with Morocco as the two countries seek to deepen their economic partnership.
29-Nov-2024
Yonhap News Agency
South Korea has struck an economic partnership agreement (EPA) with Georgia, while some agricultural products are excluded, the FTA is expected to boost bilateral trade and position South Korea as a gateway to the Caucasus region.
26-Nov-2024
KBS
The two nations plan to hold in-depth negotiations on 19 areas including commodities, services, investment and government procurement.
15-Nov-2024
Korea Herald
South Korea plans to proactively address global trade changes, especially those related to the new US administration. The country aims to upgrade existing trade pacts, diversify its trade portfolio, and secure new FTAs.
Links
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KoPA is a coalition of around 50 NGOs, social movement organizations, political parties, peasant organizations and trade unions working, among other things, to stop bilateral and regional free trade agreements and the WTO.
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