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US-ROK pact may prompt govt to rethink FTA stance
4-Apr-2007     Yomiuri Shimbun
The Japanese government is likely to reconsider its stance on free trade agreements in light of a pact concluded Monday between South Korea and the United States
FTA Watch and allies reject JTEPA
3-Apr-2007     FTA Watch
Today is a day of the deepest shame for Thailand and the Tai people. The coup-installed government of Gen Surayuth Chulanon has decided to sign a free trade agreement with Japan. This is in spite of the nation-wide impact that this agreement will have on the environment, biological resources, farmers, patients, small businesses and the majority consumers of health services. We insist that JTEPA as signed by the government today is null and void. We reject it and refute any obligations it places on the Thai people.
Japan-Thailand FTA (JTEPA, 2007)
3-Apr-2007     MOFA
Thai, Japanese leaders ink free trade pact
3-Apr-2007     MCOT
Thai Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe on Tuesday signed a landmark free trade accord which proponents in Thailand hope will boost bilateral trade, but which has drawn protests from non-governmental organisations and environmental activists.
SK-US FTA, as it stands, should not be accepted
3-Apr-2007     Hankyoreh
Little was gained for Korea in the negotiations and the final draft reflects mostly an acceptance of American demands, writes The Hankyoreh.
Japan mulls FTA study with US, ready to resume talks with S. Korea
3-Apr-2007     Kyodo
Japan will study the pros and cons of a free trade agreement with the United States and is ready to restart FTA talks with South Korea, Cabinet ministers said Tuesday following a deal Washington and Seoul struck Monday.
SK reportedly agrees to nix testing US genetically modified crops
3-Apr-2007     Hankyoreh
South Korea has reportedly exempted US foods containing genetically modified organisms (GMOs) from safety tests in the Korea-US free trade agreement struck on April 2, a move that Korean environmentalists criticised as the government "selling off" the health of the nation.
FTA protestor who immolated himself in serious condition
3-Apr-2007     Hankyoreh
Heo Se-ok, who set himself on fire on April 1 in protest of the Korean government's moves to sign a free trade agreement (FTA) with the US, still remains in serious condition with burns over 63 percent of body, hospital officials said. The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions issued a statement holding the government responsible for Heo's taking of extreme measures to protest the situation.
Trade pact risks environment, public health
3-Apr-2007     Korea Times
For the past few years, the backers and denouncers of a free trade accord between Korea and the United States have feuded like the Montagues and Capulets. Not surprisingly, the two camps are still polarized on whether the trade pact bringing together the world's largest and 10th largest economies is destined to be a happy marriage or Shakespearean tragedy.
US-Korea trade deal disappoints labor, rights activists
3-Apr-2007     One World
Trade unionists on both sides of the Pacific expressed disappointment Monday after the United States and South Korea agreed the biggest US trade pact in 15 years with only minutes to go before a deadline.