- 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
27-Jan-2010
BSS
Documentary film about the Chotbul (« candlelight ») political rallies that paralysed the city of Seoul from May to August 2008. The film explains with great insight and passion how a small online forum of fashion victims called the SoulDresser managed to bring 1 million citizens in the streets to protest against the South Korea/US FTA (free trade agreements).
28-Dec-2009
Arabian Business
South Korea said on Sunday it had signed an enhanced economic cooperation agreement with the UAE as the two get set to mark their 30-year relationship anniversary next year.
23-Dec-2009
Xinhua
South Korea and Japan failed to pin down the exact date to resume bilateral free trade negotiations during their latest talks.
10-Dec-2009
EU Politics News
Senior British MEP Richard Howitt has urged the EU to suspend free trade agreement talks with Colombia because of the country´s "profound" human rights "crisis."
10-Dec-2009
Korea Herald
Korea and Colombia agreed Wednesday to seal a high-level free trade agreement covering services, investment and other sectors, Seoul’s trade ministry said.
7-Dec-2009
Yonhap
Trade officials from South Korea and Colombia kicked off their first round of negotiations here Monday aimed at forging a free trade agreement (FTA) to boost the flow of goods and investment.
19-Nov-2009
Korea and Colombia will launch formal negotiations next month to seal a free trade agreement (FTA) as part of efforts to boost bilateral trade, Seoul’s trade ministry said yesterday.
11-Nov-2009
South Korean President Lee Myung-bak and visiting Chilean President Michelle Bachelet agreed Wednesday to revise a free trade agreement (FTA) between their countries to reflect changed conditions since the deal was signed five years ago.
10-Nov-2009
Korea wraps up today a high-level meeting with representatives of Latin American countries where discussion centered on how the two sides may pursue mutual interests.
9-Nov-2009
The National Assembly on Friday ratified a trade deal with India, called the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), that will eliminate or reduce tariffs on over 4,000 Korean goods.
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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