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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

Korea to Start FTA Talks With EFTA
23-Aug-2004
South Korea and the four-member European Free Trade Association (EFTA) are expected to begin talks for a free trade agreement (FTA) from early next year, according to a top government official.
Seoul film industry rallies to keep quota
2-Aug-2004 Seoul film industry rallies to keep quota
A star-studded film about two brothers caught on opposite sides of the Korean War broke all box-office records here this year.
Businesses Lukewarm on Korea-Japan FTA
26-May-2004
In contrast to the recent push for adopting a free trade agreement (FTA) with Chile, leading business organizations, including the Federation of Korean Industries (FKI) and Korea Federation of Small Business (KFSB), take a cautious approach to back ongoing FTA talks with Japan.
Korea: Employers Concerned About FTA With Japan
11-May-2004
The Federation of Korean Industries (FKI) on Friday proposed that the government take a cautious approach to the ongoing Korea-Japan free trade agreement (FTA) talks, demanding a delay of in the schedule for cutting tariffs on Japanese imports.
South Korea Passes Chile Free Trade Pact
26-Apr-2004
South Korea’s parliament braved the wrath of a powerful farm lobby on Monday to pass a free trade agreement with Chile, the Asian trading powerhouse’s first bilateral market-opening deal.