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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
Japan trying to resume FTA talks with S. Korea
23-Feb-2005     Kyodo
The bilateral negotiations have made little progress as South Korea has criticized Japanese-planned liberalization of farm product imports as being far from sufficient.
FTA with Seoul hindered by goods made in North
1-Feb-2005     Asahi
Products made by South Korean companies in an industrial park north of the demilitarized zone are likely to form the latest kink in sputtering free trade talks between Tokyo and Seoul.
Korea-India FTA may be signed by 2007
1-Feb-2005     Asia Times
South Korea may conclude a free trade agreement (FTA) with India as early as 2007, a ranking South Korean official said.
Korea, Israel to push for FTA: Israeli minister
18-Jan-2005    
South Korea and Israel are set to hold formal discussions on a Free Trade Agreement in a joint committee meeting next year, Israel's Vice Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said yesterday.
Korea warming up for global FTA race
31-Dec-2004     Korea Times
Free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations between South Korea and the United States is expected to pick up speed in 2005 as the two countries have agreed to hold the first preliminary meeting to examine the feasibility of the Korea-US FTA early next year.
Agriculture hindering S. Korea-Japan FTA talks: official
28-Dec-2004     Yonhap
Agriculture issues are holding up progress in free trade agreement (FTA) talks between South Korea and Japan, a Korean government official said Monday.
S. Korea aggressively seeks trade pacts to make up for late start
16-Dec-2004     Yonhap
South Korea will make a determined effort to pursue free trade agreements (FTAs) in an effort to further its interests, despite concerns that this could weaken domestic industries and pose further challenges for the agricultural sector.
South Korea is a latecomer on freer trade
15-Dec-2004     The Nation
Until April, South Korea was the only member of the World Trade Organisation other than Mongolia without a free-trade agreement (FTA). Now it is trying to catch up in a hurry.
Gov't seeks 'Kaesong provision' in future FTAs
14-Dec-2004    
The South Korean government said that it will seek provisions in future free trade talks that will permit preferential duties for products from the Kaesong Industrial Complex in North Korea so that they will be treated as if produced in the South.
Analysis: South Korea strives for FTAs
5-Dec-2004     World Peace Herald
South Korea, which has long remained out of the race for free trade zones, has geared up for high-profile efforts to jump on the free trade bandwagon, which could ensure more benefits to its export-driven economy.

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