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

Korea, ASEAN to kick off negotiations for improving bilateral FTA

8-Jun-2026 The Korea Times

Korea and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are set to commence official talks for upgrading their free trade agreement (FTA), as part of the ongoing effort to expand bilateral ties in emerging areas, such as digital economy and critical minerals.

Korea and ASEAN to strengthen supply chain cooperation... FTA digital rules to be revised

18-May-2026 The Asia Business Daily

South Korean Trade Minister Yeo Han-Koo and the ASEAN Committee agreed to broaden economic cooperation beyond conventional manufacturing into a wider array of sectors. Additionally, they committed to upgrading the 2007 Korea-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (FTA) by integrating digital trade rules, targeting tangible results by 2027.

Korea, Singapore kick off negotiations to upgrade bilateral FTA

28-Apr-2026 Korea JoongAng Daily

Korea and Singapore officially kicked off negotiations for improving their bilateral FTA this week, discussing issues in supply chains, the green economy and maintenance, repair and overhaul in the aviation industry, as well as ways to facilitate bilateral trade.

S. Korea, ASEAN hold inaugural joint committee meeting to discuss upgrading bilateral FTA

8-Apr-2026 Yonhap

South Korea and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) held the inaugural meeting of a joint committee designed to discuss improvements to their bilateral free trade agreement.

Lee, Singapore PM agree to launch FTA upgrade talks, strengthen AI cooperation

12-Mar-2026 Yonhap News Agency

President Lee Jae Myung and Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong agreed to launch negotiations to upgrade their countries' free trade agreement (FTA) and step up cooperation in artificial intelligence (AI) during summit talks.

Lee, Singapore PM agree to launch FTA upgrade talks, strengthen AI cooperation

5-Mar-2026 Yonhap News Agency

S. Korea to 'swiftly' commence talks with ASEAN to improve existing FTA: ministry

27-Oct-2025 Yonhap News Agency

South Korea will "swiftly" commence talks with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to discuss upgrading the free trade agreement (FTA) the two sides signed nearly 20 years ago, as part of efforts to expand their bilateral trade.

Thailand looking for trade accord with S.Korea by year’s end

14-Oct-2025 Bangkok Post

Thailand hopes to complete free trade agreement talks with South Korea by the end of this year, according to Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun.

Thailand-Korea CEPA negotiations enter final stages

25-Sep-2025 Business Korea

As the U.S.-initiated trade war intensifies pressure on Korea’s key export industries such as automobiles and steel, the government is accelerating its efforts to conclude negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with Thailand as early as this month, aiming to pioneer new markets.

Asean-Korea Free Trade Agreement to be upgraded, says Zafrul

24-Sep-2025 The Star

The Asean-Korea Free Trade Agreement (AKFTA) will be upgraded and its scope is being finalised, says Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz.

ISDS Case Map