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
President Moon Jae-in pledged to expand South Korea‘s global free trade agreement network to boost its economic growth and fend off protectionism.
South Korea’s trade ministry said it plans to strike free trade agreements (FTAs) with 12 more countries by 2022
South Korea’s National Assembly ratified the free trade agreement between Seoul and London in a move to brace for Britain’s exit from the European Union.
South Korea has become the first Asian country to sign a free trade agreement with a Central American trade bloc, composed of five countries — Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Costa Rica and Panama.
The chief of a major Korean business lobby said he has asked the United States to exempt South Korea from any future tariffs on autos.
South Korea plans to hold the fourth round of trade talks with Mercosur as Seoul aims to expand its trade network with emerging countries and revitalize its ailing exports.
South Korea’s free trade agreement with five Central American countries becomes partially effective on 1 Oct, putting the country on path to enjoy near tariff-free access to markets across the Latin and South American map.
South Korea’s trade ministry said Monday it plans to hold the second round of FTA negotiations with Russia in the service and investment segments, in line with the government’s efforts to deepen bilateral economic ties.
India is expected to open its market for US farm, pharmaceutical and communication technology products. The US would in return restore partially benefits accorded to Indian exporters under the Generalized System of Preferences.
The two nations agreed to speed up free trade negotiations in the service and investment sectors with a goal of striking the deal in 2020.
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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, to stop bilateral and regional free trade agreements and the WTO. -
Occupy FTA
