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  1. Negotiations

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

Chile to cite Koreans for FTA efforts
8-Jan-2006
The Chilean Embassy in Seoul said that Chile will award the “Decoration of Bernardo O’Higgins” to five Koreans who contributed to the successful free trade agreement (FTA) between South Korea and Chile.
S. Korea, India adopt final framework on FTA talks
6-Jan-2006 Asia Pulse
South Korea and India adopted a final framework Friday to begin talks on a free trade agreement, Seoul officials said.
Korea, EFTA ink free trade deal
20-Dec-2005
South Korea’s trade minister and his counterparts from the European Free Trade Association, or EFTA, signed a free trade agreement yesterday at the World Trade Organization ministerial conference in Hong Kong.
South Korea seeks FTA with India
13-Dec-2005
President Roh Moo-hyun Tuesday held back-to-back summits with his counterparts from India and New Zealand on the sidelines of a regional conference here to discuss ways to strengthen South Korea’s bilateral ties with those countries.
Australian ambassador’s big regret: no FTA
12-Dec-2005
Australian Ambassador Colin Heseltine left Seoul two days ago for home at the end of his assignment with one major bit of unfinished business - he was not able to push the excellent bilateral relations between both countries to an even higher level with a free trade agreement.
Parliament ratifies FTA with Singapore
5-Dec-2005
Korea’s National Assembly has overwhelmingly ratified a free trade agreement with Singapore. The vote was 220:5 in favor with three abstentions.
Understanding FTAs: going back to the basics
14-Nov-2005 Korea Herald
Despite being a late starter in pursuing bilateral free trade agreements, Korea has been actively seeking Free Trade Agreement talks with its trading partners around the world.
Korea pushing to mitigate impact of free trade deals
3-Nov-2005 Yonhap
South Korea is moving to provide financial assistance and other support to companies and their workers who are adversely affected by free trade agreements with foreign countries, officials said Tuesday.
Prospects seen dim for Japan trade pact
30-Oct-2005 JoongAng Daily
Korea’s top trade official voiced pessimism about the prospects for signing a free trade agreement with Japan and the United States, but was more hopeful about future trade accords with other nations.
BOK head calls for FTAs in N-E Asia
18-Oct-2005 Korea Times
The nation’s top central banker Monday stressed the need for speeding up the formation of free trade agreements (FTAs) among Korea, China and Japan, to boost regional cooperation and mutual investment.