Activists urge govt to stop unfair trade deal with EU
Bernama | 19 October 2007
Activists Urge Govt To Stop Unfair Trade Deal With EU
SEOUL, Oct 19 (Bernama) — A group of anti-globalization activists held protests Friday and urged the South Korean government to stop "unfair" trade deals with the European Union, as the fourth round of talks on a free trade agreement (FTA) between South Korea and the EU was due to end.
South Korea and the United States concluded a free trade deal earlier this year, and is awaiting legislative approval in both countries.
Seoul has been seeking a similar deal wit the EU amid criticism that such deals may cost jobs for the working class and undermine a fragile local agricultural sector.
"Under the common agricultural policy (CAP), the European agriculture is protected and supported financially with EU funds," said Korean Alliance Against FTA in a statement outside Seoul’s Shilla Hotel where the talks are being held.
The statement said that in terms of the manufacturing industry, the agreement would cover German goods made in the East European countries, while it wouldn’t cover South Korean products made in China.
The deals are full of unfairness, South Korea’s Yonhap news agency reported Friday quoting the statement as saying here.
"Before addressing the issues of goods barriers and non-tariff barriers, South Korea needs to make sure if it is starting on the same mark. We urge the government to immediately stop all the negotiations, which are based on unfair policies," it added.
