In which three major areas is South Korea accelerating negotiations on market opening?

South Korea is accelerating negotiations in the three major areas of services, investment, and finance.

When did Korea and China sign the original FTA and start the second phase of negotiations?

Korea and China signed the FTA in 2015 and launched the second phase of negotiations in March 2018.

Korea-China 2nd Phase FTA Negotiations Enter 14th Round; Korea: Accelerate Negotiations with China

Q: Who are the leaders of this round of negotiations between Korea and China?

The negotiations are led by Kwon Hye-jin and China's Ministry of Commerce Director-General of International Trade and Economic Relations, Lin Feng.

Q: What consensus did Korean President Lee Jae-myung and Chinese President Xi Jinping reach in January of this year?

They agreed to make efforts to advance the follow-up negotiations of the Korea-China FTA within this year.

Q: What is the primary purpose of Kwon Hye-jin's efforts to expedite the negotiation process with China?

The purpose is to achieve practical results that help alleviate the difficulties faced by Korean companies amid uncertainties.

Published Apr 8, 2026 8:08 PM ・ Updated Jun 18, 2026 5:32 PM ・ 3 min read ・ Source: CNA (Central News Agency)

The 14th round of negotiations for the second phase of the Korea-China Free Trade Agreement (FTA) has commenced, with South Korea expressing its intent to accelerate talks with China in areas such as services, investment, and finance. Both sides aim to build a free and open trade and investment environment and achieve practical outcomes to alleviate corporate difficulties.

According to reports, this round of negotiations is led by Kwon Hye-jin and China's Ministry of Commerce Director-General of International Trade and Economic Relations, Lin Feng. Over 40 representatives from both countries attended.

The Korean Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy stated that South Korea will accelerate negotiations on the agreement text and market opening in the three major areas of services, investment, and finance.

Kwon Hye-jin stated that South Korea will expedite the negotiation process with China to achieve practical results that help alleviate the difficulties faced by Korean companies amid internal and external uncertainties, and actively promote subsequent negotiations with China to lay the foundation for building a free and open service trade and investment environment.

Korea and China signed an FTA in 2015 and launched the second phase of negotiations in March 2018. Prior to this round, 13 rounds of negotiations and multiple meetings had been held to discuss market opening for services and investment.

The report mentions that Korean President Lee Jae-myung and Chinese President Xi Jinping reached a consensus during their meeting in Beijing in January of this year to make efforts to advance the follow-up negotiations of the Korea-China FTA within this year. (Editor: Qiu Guoqiang / Zhang Zhixuan) 1150408

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Source: CNA (Central News Agency)
Category: Partnership
Products / services: FTA

Korea-China 2nd Phase FTA Negotiations Enter 14th Round; Korea: Accelerate Negotiations with China

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