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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
Imports up, exports down one year after Korea-EFTA FTA
11-Sep-2007     Korea Times
A year after a trade deal between Korea and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) went into effect last September, Korea's largest trade group said that imports from the four-nation bloc hiked while exports dipped heavily.
South Korea may discuss free trade deal with North in summit
17-Aug-2007     The Hankyoreh
South Korea is considering discussing a potential free trade agreement (FTA) with North Korea during the second summit of the leaders of the two Koreas late this month
S Korea, Mexico agree to resume free trade talks
9-Aug-2007     Korea Times
South Korea and Mexico officially have agreed to resume their negotiations for a full free trade agreement (FTA), which is expected to contribute not only to economic ties but the political partnership between the two countries
Research institute recommends inter-Korean trade agreement
9-Aug-2007     Hankyoreh
A private think-tank claims that South and North Korea should work on signing a free trade pact to prompt changes in the communist country and eventually achieve consolidation of the two divided Koreas.
Korea, Russia agree to pilot FTA talks
24-Jul-2007     Chosun Ilbo
Korea has agreed with Russia to launch study group talks on a bilateral free trade agreement in September.
Pres. Roh says Seoul's FTA with Beijing inevitable
23-May-2007     Chosun Ilbo
Korean President Roh Moo-hyun said Seoul's signing of a free-trade pact with Beijing is inevitable but the timing must be right.
S. Korean business group calls on gov't to swiftly start free trade talks with Australia
21-May-2007     Yonhap
South Korea's top business organization on Monday urged the government to swiftly start free trade talks with Australia, saying a deal would be in the interest of both sides.
South Korea, Australia to begin study of free trade pact this year
16-May-2007     Yonhap
South Korea and Australia will begin a joint study this year to explore a free trade agreement, a senior trade official said Wednesday.
Korea hopeful of trade pact with India by Dec
12-May-2007     Moneycontrol India
South Korea hopes to wrap up a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with India by December 2007. The CEPA would encompass trade in goods and services and investment.
S. Korea to make quick decision on free trade talks with China
25-Apr-2007    
South Korea will quickly decide whether or not to launch negotiations for free trade agreements (FTA) with China, Australia and Gulf states, the nation's top economic policymaker said Wednesday.

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