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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-Singapore FTA: Bridge to SE Asian markets, cornerstone for services liberalization
19-May-2005     KoPA
The KSFTA was promoted by Korea under two main strategies. One is to use Singapore as a bridge to gain more market access in Southeast Asia and strive further towards regional integration, and the other is to use external ‘stimulus' from Singapore to “strengthen competitiveness” (restructuring and liberalization) of the services industry.....
Trilateral free trade agreement
28-Apr-2005    
Not too long ago, the entire country and the National Assembly agonized over the ratification of Korea-Chile Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Its final National Assembly passage was delayed from the strong opposition of many people, particularly from farmers. It is remarkable to learn that the Korean government is now either negotiating or planning to negotiate with as many as 50 countries to complete their FTAs by 2007.
Korea to sign FTA with EFTA in July
11-Apr-2005     Korea Times
Korea and the European Free Trade Association have tentatively agreed that they will sign the final free trade agreement (FTA) in July, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade Sunday.
Leading on free trade
11-Apr-2005     Korea Times
The Roh administration has not had an easy time handling the foreign policy file. But for all its faults and foibles, there is one very important portion of that file in which the president has provided some strong leadership: free trade.
Free Trade Fervor - Careful, Comprehensive Strategy Leads to Success
2-Apr-2005    
The government's plan to conclude 15 free trade agreements by 2007 is the right move - if somewhat overambitious.
FTA lays foundation for more open economy
31-Mar-2005    
The first free trade agreement with Chile has brought an array of benefits to Korea in the past year, not least contributing to the speeding up of the nation's FTA talks with other trade partners.
Analysis: S. Korea's FTA push
31-Mar-2005     UPI
Upbeat about surging exports following its first free trade accord with Chile a year ago, South Korea unveiled an ambitious plan on Wednesday to push for free trade agreements with more than 15 countries by 2007.
Korea to step up free trade talks
28-Mar-2005     Korea Times
The government will continue working toward free trade agreements (FTA) with major trading partners as part of South Korea's aim to emerge as one of the most open economies in the world.
China, ROK initiated joint study on feasibility of FTA
21-Mar-2005    
China and the Republic of Korea (ROK) have initiated the non-government joint study on the feasibility of free trade agreement (FTA), announced Wang Mengkui, director of the Development Research Center of the State Council (DRC) here Monday.
S. Korean fruit growers hurt by S. Korea-Chile FTA
17-Mar-2005     Yonhap
South Korea's Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry said 12,644 local peach, kiwi and grape farms across the country have decided to halt operations since the FTA's ratification, indicating that the opening of the domestic market is taking a toll on the growers.

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