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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


S. Korean business group calls on gov’t to swiftly start free trade talks with Australia
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
S Korea’s finance minister hints at FTA talks with China
South Korea’s finance minister said Wednesday that the government may push to strike a free trade agreement (FTA) with China after it wraps up negotiations with the European Union (EU).
Roh proposes free trade talks with Arab Gulf nations
South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun on Sunday unveiled an initiative for future cooperation between South Korea and the Middle East, proposing a free trade agreement (FTA) with member countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
Labor party leader on hunger strike against free trade agreement with US
A weary yet defiant looking Korean labor party leader has been a fixture in front of the president’s office for more than two weeks, on a hunger strike against South Korea’s imminent free trade agreement (FTA) with the United States. "FTA, I believe, only stands for ’For The Americans’," Moon Sung-hyun said.