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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


FTAs intensify competition in imported beef market
The United States, Australia, New Zealand and Canada are all vying for Korea’s beef market through FTAs, with Australia currently gaining ground.
Korea, India to expedite free trade deal
Foreign ministers from Korea and India agreed on Tuesday to expedite a bilateral free trade agreement between the two countries.
SKorea to start FTA talks with Australia next week
South Korea and Australia have agreed to start talks next week on forging a free trade agreement (FTA), the foreign ministry in Seoul said Wednesday.
5 years of free trade with Korea
On Wednesday, Korea and Chile will be celebrating the 5th anniversary since they signed the free trade agreement.
S Korea, Peru to start free trade talks
South Korea and Peru will start their first round of free trade negotiations in Seoul next week, South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said Friday.
South Korean president supports Aust FTA
South Korea’s President Lee Myung-bak Lee will announce the start of formal negotiations towards a free trade agreement with Australia in Canberra on Thursday.
S Korea finds economic breakthrough opportunities in FTAs
South Korea’s chief free trade negotiator said free trade is essential to break through the current economic slump, South Korea’s Korea Herald said Friday.
Koreans eye opportunities from free trade deal
Hee-Beom Lee is a fierce free trade advocate who believes there are plenty of opportunities for Korean business people to invest in New Zealand including in critical sectors like dairy.
Korea, Peru to have FTA negotiations in March
Korea and Peru agreed to hold the first round of FTA negotiations in March, the Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said
Seoul, Tokyo Agree to Resume Talks on FTA
South Korea and Japan will hold working-level discussions on resuming their negotiations on free trade agreement (FTA) while working closely to overcome the worldwide financial crisis now threatening both their economies, Yonhap News reported quoting Seoul’s presidential office of Cheong Wa Dae Monday.