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  1. Negotiations

Korea


The government of South Korea has concluded, or is pursuing negotiations for, a number of bilateral free trade and investment agreements. Korean social movements have been mobilizing in opposition to these ever since the Korea-Chile FTA was proposed. So far, South Korea has signed deals with Chile (2004), EFTA (2004), Singapore (2005), ASEAN (2007) the US (2007, ratified in 2011), Peru (2011) and Turkey (2012). Talks are under way with Canada, China, Mexico, India, the EU and, technically speaking, Japan. Negotiations with Colombia have stalled over Colombia’s demands for access for better terms for its fruit and flower exports than what Korea gives Chile and Peru. Seoul is also looking to open discussions with Mercosur, Malaysia, Mexico and possibly Israel.

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

See also
Regional implications of Korea-China FTA
28-Jan-2012    
The two dynamic economies of Asia, China and South Korea, have been enjoying close economic ties since 1992, when the two countries established diplomatic ties.
Damage to farming from China FTA could reach $2.8 bil.
12-Jan-2012     Yonhap
Damage to Korea's farming industry from a free trade agreement (FTA) with China may reach up to $2.8 billion, reports said Thursday, urging the Seoul government to be cautious in its FTA negotiations with China.
Agriculture stands to lose in possible South Korea-China FTA
10-Jan-2012    
President Lee Myung-bak agreed to begin the necessary "domestic procedures" for opening formal negotiations on a South Korea-China free trade agreement during a summit meeting Monday afternoon with Chinese president Hu Jintao at Beijing's Great Hall of the People.
S. Korea to start domestic procedures to launch FTA talks with China
9-Jan-2012     Yonhap
South Korean President Lee Myung-bak told his Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao that Seoul will soon begin domestic procedures for the start of formal negotiations with Beijing on forging a bilateral free trade agreement, a presidential official said Monday.
Seoul to expand help for fishing, agricultural sectors under free trade deals
2-Jan-2012    
South Korea will expand its support for the fishery and agricultural sectors to ease their losses from a massive influx of outside products under free trade agreements (FTAs), the finance ministry said Monday.
Seoul, Beijing to start FTA talks in January
25-Nov-2011     Chosun Ilbo
Seoul and Beijing hope to start bilateral free trade talks in January, according to the Chosun Ilbo. They already agree to keep out sensitive items like agricultural produce.
Results of the fifth round of FTA negotiations between Korea and Colombia
17-Oct-2011     ISRIA
The two countries engaged in intensive discussion on outstanding issues in the areas of trade in goods, trade remedies, intellectual property rights, investment, rules of origin, cooperation, and sanitary and phytosanitary measures.
Retailers to hold nationwide rally against FTA
4-Oct-2011     Korea Herald
The Korea Federation of Retail Organizations plans to hold a nationwide rally at the end of this month to call for protection measures related to the free trade pacts with the European Union and the United States.
S. Korea expands support for farming sectors to cut losses from FTAs
19-Aug-2011    
The government will set aside a total of 22.1 trillion won (US$20.5 billion) to help local farmers and fishing households who could get hurt by cheaper foreign products.
Korea, China consider sitting down for FTA talks
14-Aug-2011    
Korea and China are considering starting negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA), Korean Trade Minister Kim Jong-hoon said.

Referenced sites

Korean People's Action against FTA and WTO (KoPA)

KoPA is a coalition of around 50 NGOs, social movement organizations, political parties, peasant organizations and trade unions working, among other things, ...

Occupy FTA