ISDS Case Map
Korea
South Korea, which has long remained out of the race for free trade zones, has geared up for high-profile efforts to jump on the free trade bandwagon, which could ensure more benefits to its export-driven economy.
South Korea will start negotiations next year for a free trade agreement (FTA) with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
South Korea and Brazil have agreed to launch a joint feasibility study into signing a Free Trade Agreement between South Korea and the South American common market of Mercosur.
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.
US ambassador to Korea Christopher Hill said on Monday that the Korean government and people had to choose between an FTA and Korea's screen quota system.
Japan and South Korea opened a new round of free trade talks in Tokyo as nearly 150 labor union members from the two countries clashed with police during a demonstration to oppose the deal.
Korean trade union and social organisations have worked together in recent months to stop the Japan-Korea FTA, arguing that it will result in the abolition of more regulations protecting workers rights, and more privatisation of public services. They also say the average citizens' access to medical treatment and drugs will also be undermined by the FTA's excuse to “protect” intellectual property rights.
A group of lawmakers from South Korea's ruling party Friday joined the chorus of caution about the possible adverse impact of a free trade agreement (FTA) with Japan on the local market.
The dispute about Korea`s screen quota system is flaring up again, with government officials squaring off against the local movie industry over whether the "protectionist" measure should be scrapped.
Korea's four major business organizations have urged the government to enact a special law ahead of a free trade agreement (FTA) with Japan in order to protect domestic companies from negative effects of the pact.
