Update following round 4 of negotiations on an upgraded Free
Trade Agreement (FTA) with South Korea.
Negotiations took place in London between 10 and 21 March
2025.
The fourth round of negotiations to upgrade the existing Free
Trade Agreement (FTA) with the Republic of Korea (RoK) took place
in London between 10 and 21 March 2025. As with previous rounds,
negotiators from both sides engaged productively across a broad
range of areas in an ongoing effort to enhance and solidify the
economic partnership between us.
Negotiations continue to centre around three key
objectives:
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Securing and future proofing existing arrangements: Progress
was made in rules of origin discussions. Product Specific
Rules were discussed for a range of important exporting
sectors. Negotiators will continue to seek a chapter which
accounts for both existing and future supply chains.
-
Capturing recent advances in Trade Policy: Negotiations on a
new and comprehensive Digital Trade chapter progressed
positively, with commitments on data, trade digitisation and
business safeguards under discussion this round.
-
Supporting our strategic relationship with the Republic of
Korea: During the round good progress was made towards
agreeing new cooperation commitments covering areas such as
the Environment, Trade and Gender Equality and Supply
Chains.
Economic growth is the core mission of this government, and this
FTA has an important role to play in supporting our £15.3 billion
trade relationship with the Republic of Korea.
The government will only ever sign a trade agreement which aligns
with the UK's national interests, upholding high standards across
a range of sectors, including protections for the National Health
Service.
The fifth round of negotiations is currently expected to take
place in Seoul in the Summer of 2025.
