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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
Korea-China FTA talks gather steam but a sticky path ahead
23-Aug-2005    
As economic interdependence between Korea and China grows significantly, government officials and economists find it more and more necessary to form a free trade agreement to strengthen bilateral economic relations.
S. Korea, Singapore sign FTA
4-Aug-2005     Xinhua
South Korea and Singapore formally signed a free trade agreement (FTA) here Thursday, reported the South Korean Yonhap News Agency.
President Roh wants Economic Partnership Agreement with Mexico
26-Jul-2005     Chosun Ilbo
South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun says he prefers an economic partnership agreement over a free trade pact with Mexico. In an interview with news daily "El Sol de Mexico," President Roh said he would propose a comprehensive economic partnership when he makes an official visit to the country in September.
Speed up free trade talks
16-Jul-2005    
For Korea which relies heavily on external markets, forging bilateral free trade pacts with its trading partners is not an option but a must. Today, regional economic blocs, which have emerged in parallel with the globalization trend, penalize a country that has no bilateral trade deals with them.
S. Korea, EFTA seal free trade accord
13-Jul-2005     Yonhap
South Korea and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) signed a bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) on Tuesday, a deal that could give domestic companies a beachhead in the European market, the Foreign Affairs and Trade Ministry said.
S Korea blames Japan for trade impasse
28-Jun-2005     Financial Times
Eighteen months of talks over a proposed bilateral trade agreement between Japan and South Korea are on the verge of collapse because Japan's Agriculture Ministry has blocked meaningful dialogue on trade in farm and marine products, a South Korean diplomat said yesterday.
S. Korea, S. Africa to discuss possible FTA
24-Jun-2005     Yonhap
South Korea and South Africa will hold talks next week in Pretoria to discuss a variety of issues, including the possible signing of a bilateral free trade agreement (FTA), South Korean officials said Thursday.
Seoul plans safety net for free trade victims
6-Jun-2005    
Seoul on Friday decided to support workers and businesses that fall victim to trade liberalization, even as APEC ministers in Jeju pledged to back a formula that would drastically slash tariffs in non-agricultural sectors.
Korea sees progress in FTA talks with EFTA
5-Jun-2005    
Korea made progress in talks for inking a free trade agreement with the four countries of the European Free Trade Association, the government said yesterday.
Korea urges Japan to open up
5-Jun-2005     Asia Times
Japan needs to allow South Korean products greater access to its agricultural and fisheries markets in an effort to advance stalled bilateral free-trade agreement (FTA) talks, South Korean Trade Minister Kim Hyun-chong said on Friday.

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