bilaterals.org logo
bilaterals.org logo

Korea-ASEAN

The government of South Korea and nine members of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, and Vietnam) signed an FTA together in May 2006, which took effect in July 2006.

Due to concerns about agriculture, particularly the deal’s provisions on rice and livestock, Thailand negotiated separate arrangements with the Korean government to join the pact in early 2009. Korea is also interested in a separate, higher level FTA with Malaysia.

last update: May 2012
Photo: Joe Mabel / CC BY-SA 3.0


Rice row threatens ASEAN-South Korea free-trade deal
A row over Asia’s staple food, rice, is threatening to scuttle a proposed free-trade deal between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and South Korea, which wants to protect the key sector from tariff cuts.
Thailand will not sign ASEAN-S. Korea FTA: spokesman
Thailand will not sign a free trade agreement (FTA) between the Association of South East Asian Nations and South Korea because it does not include rice, government spokesman Surapong Suebwonglee said on Tuesday.
FTA with ASEAN benefits Kaesong products
Goods made in the North Korean border city of Kaesong will likely benefit from a free trade agreement (FTA) to be signed between South Korea and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) next year, a senior presidential aide said Tuesday.
Korea pushing for FTAs with ASEAN by next year
Korea aims to close free trade agreements with ASEAN countries by the end of 2006, presidential adviser for foreign affairs Chung Woo-sung said Tuesday. The government will seek to sign basic agreements during Korea-ASEAN summit talks in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Dec. 13.
Hyundai to put up plant in RP soon
Hyundai Motor Co. will put up a car-assembly plant in the Philippines after the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and South Korea forge a free-trade agreement, according to the Korean carmaker’s sole distributor in Manila.
Seoul to sign trade deal with ASEAN
Korea is expected to sign a framework agreement for free trade with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in mid-December.
Significant progress made in Seoul-ASEAN FTA talks
South Korea and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have made substantial progress in their negotiations on a free trade agreement, the Foreign Ministry said Sunday.
Korea-ASEAN FTA talks in final stage
South Korea is expected to conclude free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations with the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) within the year as the fifth round of FTA talks between the two sides have shown significant progress, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade on Sunday.
First round of Korea-ASEAN FTA negotiations
Korea and ASEAN will hold the first round of official negotiations for the Korea-ASEAN FTA on February 23-25, 2005, in Jakarta, Indonesia.
ASEAN-Korea free trade talks set to start
Negotiations on the proposed ASEAN-Korea Free Trade Agreement (AKFTA) is expected to commence next year as ASEAN and Korean leaders are seen to favorably endorse the recommendations at the forthcoming ASEAN-Korea Summit this month.