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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

Tensions stall Japan/South Korea FTA
27-May-2006     Stuff.co.nz
Negotiations for a free trade pact between South Korea and Japan have been deadlocked for more than a year partly due to differences over how the two sides view their history, South Korea's commerce minister said on Friday.
Hyosung head calls for corporate-led FTA
27-May-2006     Korea Times
Business leaders in South Korea and Japan need to play an active role in achieving a free trade agreement between the two countries, a Korean conglomerate owner said Thursday.
S Korea considers FTA with Gulf countries: Roh
15-May-2006     Korea Times
President Roh Moo-hyun said Saturday that the government will consider signing a free trade agreement (FTA) with the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
Seoul to resume stalled FTA talks with Japan
6-May-2006     Asia Times
South Korea's finance minister says the country will seek to resume its stalled negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA) with Japan after wrapping up a pact with the United States.
Korea wants FTA with Latin America
2-Apr-2006     Korea Times
South Korea hopes to establish free trade agreements (FTAs) with other Latin American and Caribbean countries following one with Chile, Vice Finance and Economy Minister Kwon Tae-shin said Sunday.
Korea-Chile FTA boosts agricultural imports
30-Mar-2006     Korea Herald
Some experts like Choi Sei-kyun, a research director at the Korea Rural Economic Institute, underlined in his latest research report that it is still too early to gauge the effect of the bilateral free trade deal on domestic farmers, despite the relatively rapid rise in Chilean agricultural imports.
Possible Korea-Japan FTA could hurt conglomerates
27-Mar-2006    
Even big Korean conglomerates may feel the blow if Seoul and Tokyo ink a free trade agreement, according to a report by the Korea Institute for International Economic Policy.
FTA to cut auto sales
27-Mar-2006     Asia Times Online
A free trade agreement between South Korea and Japan is expected to reduce domestic sales of local carmakers by up to 226,000 units annually.
Envoy brings 'new zeal and' energy to Korea
7-Mar-2006    
New Zealand's latest ambassador to Korea has arrived in Seoul with the clear and stated determination to see her predecessor's efforts for a free trade agreement come to fruition. Also featuring high on Jane Coombs' agenda is promoting a higher level of cooperation in the fields of science and technology.
Korea wants rice out of FTA
13-Feb-2006     Korea Times
Improving the quality of locally grown agricultural products will be a key government goal this year as more imports are expected to be sold on the South Korean market, the country's agriculture minister said Monday.