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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


Korea seeks free trade with Russia, Mercosur
Korea wants to offset the expected slowdown in growth next year by expanding free trade pacts with Russia and South America’s Mercosur members, a government official said yesterday.
S Korea, Japan to seek resumption of FTA talks
South Korea’s Trade Ministry said Wednesday that South Korea and Japan will launch working-level meeting next week to seek the resumption of negotiation over free trade agreement (FTA).
Korea, Peru to begin free trade talks next year
President Lee Myung-bak and Peruvian President Alan Garcia agreed yesterday to launch negotiations on a bilateral free trade agreement in the first half of next year.
Korea seeks FTAs with S. American nations
President Lee Myung-bak called Tuesday for the launch of negotiations on a free trade agreement between South Korea and the Southern American Common Market, called MERCOSUR, involving Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and Brazil. In a separate interview with a Peruvian newspaper, Lee said he would declare the beginning of free trade negotiations with Peru.
FTA with Cambodia to go into effect in November
A free trade agreement (FTA) between South Korea and Cambodia will go into effect as of November, the government said Friday.
Korea, India aim to find middle ground on farm goods at Cepa talks
"The aim of the talks will be to ensure the greatest possible protection for sensitive items, so that if a CEPA pact is signed, the fallout for local farmers can be minimized," a Korean ministry official said. He added that talks are entering the home stretch.
Korea, India aim to conclude trade deal by year’s end
South Korea and India will resume trade talks next week in Seoul to sign an economic cooperation agreement.
S Korea looks into FTAs with Turkey, Peru
South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said the country has started assessing the impact of free-trade agreement (FTA) with Turkey, and is also seriously considering to start formal talks for FTA with Peru, Korea Herald reported Thursday.
Progress in CEPA Talks with India
Korean negotiators say talks with Indian officials to strike a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement produced considerable progress.
S Korea to push forward bilateral FTA deals after WTO talks collapse
South Korea will push forward bilateral free trade agreements as the global trade talks under the World Trade Organization finished without progress, South Korean Deputy Trade Minister Ahn Ho-young said Wednesday