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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


Analysis: S. Korea’s FTA push
Upbeat about surging exports following its first free trade accord with Chile a year ago, South Korea unveiled an ambitious plan on Wednesday to push for free trade agreements with more than 15 countries by 2007.
Korea to step up free trade talks
The government will continue working toward free trade agreements (FTA) with major trading partners as part of South Korea’s aim to emerge as one of the most open economies in the world.
China, ROK initiated joint study on feasibility of FTA
China and the Republic of Korea (ROK) have initiated the non-government joint study on the feasibility of free trade agreement (FTA), announced Wang Mengkui, director of the Development Research Center of the State Council (DRC) here Monday.
S. Korean fruit growers hurt by S. Korea-Chile FTA
South Korea’s Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry said 12,644 local peach, kiwi and grape farms across the country have decided to halt operations since the FTA’s ratification, indicating that the opening of the domestic market is taking a toll on the growers.
Japan trying to resume FTA talks with S. Korea
The bilateral negotiations have made little progress as South Korea has criticized Japanese-planned liberalization of farm product imports as being far from sufficient.
FTA with Seoul hindered by goods made in North
Products made by South Korean companies in an industrial park north of the demilitarized zone are likely to form the latest kink in sputtering free trade talks between Tokyo and Seoul.
Korea-India FTA may be signed by 2007
South Korea may conclude a free trade agreement (FTA) with India as early as 2007, a ranking South Korean official said.
Korea, Israel to push for FTA: Israeli minister
South Korea and Israel are set to hold formal discussions on a Free Trade Agreement in a joint committee meeting next year, Israel’s Vice Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said yesterday.
Korea warming up for global FTA race
Free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations between South Korea and the United States is expected to pick up speed in 2005 as the two countries have agreed to hold the first preliminary meeting to examine the feasibility of the Korea-US FTA early next year.
Agriculture hindering S. Korea-Japan FTA talks: official
Agriculture issues are holding up progress in free trade agreement (FTA) talks between South Korea and Japan, a Korean government official said Monday.