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Korea

Trade minister vows to defend ’Maginot Line’ in FTA
18-Apr-2006
Korea will need to end negotiations for a free trade agreement with the U.S. as it did with Japan if it cannot defend its “Maginot Line” — protection for sensitive agricultural and service sectors — Trade Minister Kim Hyun-chong said Monday.
’Seoul shouldn’t hurry FTA talks’
18-Apr-2006
When Korea and the United States enter formal negotiations for a free trade agreement in June, both countries are expected to begin a fight against time to meet a March 2007 target to conclude the talks.
Seoul rules out win-lose FTA with United States
18-Apr-2006
South Korea will not rush through its free trade agreement (FTA) deal with the United States so as to make the bilateral pact a win-lose deal for Korea rather than a win-win treaty.
US Trade Commission examines FTA impact
18-Apr-2006
The US International Trade Commission (ITC) will hold a public hearing Thursday on a free trade agreement (FTA) with South Korea, industry officials said Sunday.
Industry FTA team launched
18-Apr-2006
Representatives from a variety of industries have formed a private board to closely monitor the government’s negotiations with the United States for a free trade agreement (FTA).
METI’s Asia-Oceania FTA pitch surprises but is predictable
18-Apr-2006 Japan Times
Trade minister Toshihiro Nikai’s announcement earlier this month that Japan plans to start talks with 15 other nations in 2008 to create an Asia-Oceania free-trade zone took many by surprise — not only experts but also those within government — sparking speculation about the ministry’s true intentions.
S Korea warns of collapse in free trade talks with US
17-Apr-2006 Asia Pulse
South Korea’s trade minister warned Monday that the upcoming negotiations on a free trade agreement (FTA) with the United States could collapse if the deal harms South Korean national interests.
Seoul attempts to appease farmers
17-Apr-2006 IHT
The South Korean government may offer more incentives for farmers and their families in an attempt to curb protests over its negotiations with the United States for a free-trade agreement, South Korea’s chief negotiator said Monday.
Education sector to be included in FTA agenda
17-Apr-2006 Korea Times
South Korea is poised to include a partial opening of the education market in its coming talks for a free trade agreement (FTA) with the United States. The US is calling for the Korean government to open the college education market involving graduate schools and the pre-school education market involving kindergartens.
Thousands march against FTA with US
17-Apr-2006 Chosun Ilbo
A massive protest against a planned free trade agreement between Korea and the U.S. brought some 8,000 trade unionists, farmers, students and actors from 100 groups to Daehagno, downtown Seoul on Sunday.
Public-sectors to be excluded from FTA with US: ROK
16-Apr-2006 Xinhua
South Korean chief negotiator for the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the United States Kim Jong-hoon said Saturday that the public-sectors services would be excluded from the FTA talks.
Defense of FTA with US - positive attitude needed to persuade people
14-Apr-2006
A presidential senior secretary strongly defended Korea’s move to sign a free trade deal with the United States by saying that the deal, if successfully concluded, would pull the nation into the ranks of advanced countries.
Choeng Wa Dae remarks on FTA are only a start
13-Apr-2006
President Roh Moo-hyun’s public relations secretary Lee Baek-man has rejected criticism from circles close to the government that a planned free-trade agreement with the US would amount to selling out the nation.
Roh’s spokesman defends FTA with United States
13-Apr-2006
The Korean government has rolled up its sleeves to win over public support for the proposed free trade agreement (FTA) with the United States, as it is faced with more and more voices worrying about its possible negative implications.
Rice market opening is must for FTA: US
13-Apr-2006
A key US negotiator reaffirmed Wednesday that a free trade agreement (FTA) with South Korea means opening up its rice market.
Anti-FTA unionists attack White House web site
12-Apr-2006
An estimated 3,000 Korean unionists in the information and technology sector have tried to flood the e-mail box of US President George W Bush with bulk messages in protest of the ongoing Free Trade Agreement (FTA) talks.
Beware Korea free trade deal: Chrysler Canada CEO
12-Apr-2006 Canadian Press
Trade negotiators are riding roughshod over the interests of Canada’s auto industry as they hurry to seal a free trade deal with South Korea, the president of DaimlerChrysler Canada Inc. said Tuesday.
Opposition lawmaker cries foul over FTA
12-Apr-2006 Korea Times
An opposition party lawmaker Tuesday raised suspicions that the government tried to fabricate the estimated trade balance over a free trade agreement (FTA) with the United States in order to gain favorable public opinion.
Mexico, Canada have seen few benefits in US FTA, says report
10-Apr-2006
A state-run research center said Monday that some of the countries that signed a free trade agreement (FTA) with the United States have lost their export competitiveness.
Government faces revolt over free-trade deal with US
10-Apr-2006 Chosun Ilbo
The Korean government is reportedly considering setting up a special public relations office just to deal with opposition to the FTA. That opposition is expected to intensify after the upcoming local elections and probably right up to the US-proposed deadline for negotiations in March 2007. In the process, it could also spill over into intense social conflict in Korea.