Kaeseong goods expected to be problem at EU FTA talks
Chosun Ilbo | 12 July 2007
Kaeseong Goods Expected to Be Problem at EU FTA Talks
Kim Han-soo, Korea’s chief envoy to free trade talks with the European Union, is cautioning against being overly optimistic about having products made at an industrial park in North Korea’s Kaeseong included in the bilateral trade deal.
Speaking on a local radio show on Wednesday, the deputy trade minister pointed out that Seoul does not have taxing authority over Kaeseong.
But he added that the EU does seem willing to consider ways to include Kaeseong-made goods in the envisioned FTA.
As for Korea’s free trade deal with the U.S., Seoul and Washington have agreed to something called "Outward Processing Zones" so that products made in North Korea can benefit from trade deal when certain conditions are met.
The second round of free trade negotiations between Korea and the EU begins next Monday in Brussels.
Arirang News
