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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


S. Korea in close consultation with Mexico to resume FTA talks: ministry
South Korea and Mexico have "closely discussed" the possible resumption of negotiations for a bilateral free trade agreement.
S. Korea, Singapore aim to strike digital trade deal this year
South Korea and Singapore agreed to conclude their digital trade pact in 2021 in a move to deepen broader trade and economic ties, Seoul’s trade ministry said.
S. Korea, Arab nations agree to resumption of free trade talks
South Korea and a group of Arab countries have agreed to push for the resumption of their free trade talks that have been suspended for a decade in a move to forge deeper economic ties, Seoul’s industry ministry said.
Korea, Cambodia ink free trade deal for deeper economic ties
South Korea and Cambodia officially signed a free trade agreement (FTA) in a move to deepen their economic ties, Seoul’s industry ministry said.
S. Korea, Chile to hold 6th round of talks on amending FTA
South Korea and Chile will hold their sixth round of negotiations this week on updating their bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) that went into effect in 2004.
Cambodia-South Korea deal ‘to be signed next week’
The Kingdom of Cambodia and the Republic of Korea will sign a draft free trade agreement (FTA) next week, as the two countries witness their bilateral trade amount on the rise.
Cambodia, Korea to sign free trade agreement on October 26
Cambodia and Korea will sign a free trade agreement on October 26. This is according to Chring Botum Rangsay, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Cambodia to the Republic of Korea.
UAE, South Korea to launch free trade talks
The United Arab Emirates and South Korea on Thursday agreed to start negotiations on a bilateral trade deal targeting a broad expansion of economic ties.
Guatemala eyes joining S. Korea-Central America FTA
South Korea’s trade ministry said it is currently under negotiations with Guatemala to invite the Central American country to a multilateral trade pact that fully went into effect this year.
S. Korea to expand FTAs with more emerging countries in S.E. Asia, Latin America
South Korea said it plans to implement or launch negotiations for a set of new FTAs with trading counterparts from Southeast Asia and Latin America this year, as part of efforts to reduce its reliance on major economies.