Minister for Trade (): The fifth round of
negotiations on an upgraded Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the
Republic of Korea (RoK) took place in Seoul between 7 and 11 July
2025.
Total trade between the UK and RoK was worth £15.4 billion in
2024. An upgraded FTA is intended to support further growth in
this trade and strengthen our broader relationship with RoK.
An upgraded UK-RoK FTA will help secure and future-proof current
goods market access. It will update the agreement in key areas
where trade policy has progressed in recent years, including
digital and services trade. It will also support cooperation in
broader parts of the UK-RoK strategic relationship, with
commitments in areas such as supply chains and the environment.
During this round, negotiators made good progress in several
areas, including but not limited to:
Rules of origin
Constructive discussions were held covering both the main chapter
text and product specific rules (PSRs) for a range of sectors
including automotives, textiles and apparel, and food and drink.
Digital trade
A new ambitious digital trade chapter is a key part of these
negotiations. Sides held further positive discussions during the
round on a range of areas including: trade digitalisation and
business safeguards.
Services
The two sides continue to hold constructive discussions on
further support for trade in services. This included financial
services, professional and business services and rules relating
to the development of domestic regulation.
Other Areas
Positive discussions were held across a range of other areas of
the FTA, including Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Measures, and
Trade and Sustainable Development (TSD).
The Government will only ever sign a trade agreement which aligns
with the UK's national interests, upholding our high standards
across a range of sectors, including protections for the national
health service.
The UK and RoK expect to hold further discussions in the Autumn.
The Government will continue to work towards delivering outcomes
in the FTA that secure economic growth for the UK and will update
Parliament on the progress of discussions with RoK as they
continue to develop.
