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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
Officials: China-ROK FTA talks have many hurdles
13-Dec-2006     People's Daily
The Republic of Korea (ROK) is not fully prepared to enter free trade area (FTA) talks with China despite such a deal being widely believed to be positive for both economies, Shin Bong-kil, a minister with the Embassy of the ROK in China, said yesterday.
South Korea seeks free trade talks with EU, China next year: president
3-Nov-2006     Channel News Asia
South Korea wants to open free trade talks with the European Union and China as soon as next year, President Roh Moo-Hyun said.
Korea's third FTA effective next month
28-Aug-2006    
South Korea's free trade agreement (FTA) with four non-EU members will go into effect next month.
Gov't to Seek FTA With China After Pact With U.S.
10-Aug-2006    
The government hopes to start free trade negotiations with China in the first half of next year after it clinches a free trade agreement with the U.S, a senior government official said Thursday.
U.S. blocked S.K.-China trade deal: politician
10-Aug-2006    
According to recently-released data from a conference held last year, when China showed its intention to seek a free trade agreement with Korea, the U.S. gave a strong warning and the Korean government backed away from the deal, going with the U.S. instead.
S Korea denies report of rejecting China's FTA offer on US worries
10-Aug-2006    
South Korean Trade Minister Kim Hyun-chong on Thursday denied a report that the Seoul government rejected China's proposal to sign a free trade agreement last year after the United States expressed concerns over Beijing's huge presence in Northeast Asia.
Korea, China not ready for free trade pact: trade official
10-Aug-2006    
A South Korean trade official, who participated in the recent free trade negotiations with Washington, said that Seoul was not in a position to play the "China card" in its negotiations with the United States for fear of causing unnecessary backlash from Washington, referring to the negotiation leverage that might be gained by first signing a free trade pact with China.
Business Lobby Group Urges FTA with EU
2-Aug-2006    
Korea's big-business lobby is urging a free-trade agreement with the European Union. The Federation of Korean Industries reports the Korean and the European economies are complementary, hence there will be few hurdles to sealing a pact.
Korea, India to hold free trade talks
14-Jul-2006     Korea Times
Although the free trade agreement with the United States has been receiving the lion's share of the nation's attention, South Korea and India will continue free trade talks next week to discuss the timetable and extent of tariff reductions, Korea's Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry said Thursday.
China to Recognize Kaesong Goods as Made in S.Korea
4-Jul-2006    
China will recognize products from the joint-Korean Kaesong Industrial Complex in the North as made in South Korea, a high-ranking government official in Seoul said Monday.

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