S Korea promotes trade with ASEAN through free trade agreement
South Korea is promoting negotiations to improve the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to further benefit businesses.
South Korea's Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy announced that the 20th Korea-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement Implementing Committee meeting was held in Jakarta, Indonesia from March 12-13.
The Port of Busan, the largest port in South Korea. Photo courtesy of AFP.
As part of the meeting, the RoK and ASEAN member countries reviewed the outcomes of past joint research projects and discuss measures for an upgrade of the bilateral FTA through a workshop.
Both sides have been conducting joint research to reflect changes in the situation following the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Agreement signed in 2020, and to upgrade the Korea-ASEAN FTA.
Based on the discussions in the workshop, there are plans to engage in substantive discussions to improve the Korea-ASEAN FTA, making it more accessible for businesses and reflecting emerging trade issues such as digital and supply chain.
Director general of the ministry’s free trade agreement policy division Ahn Chang-yong said ASEAN is an important partner in the Indo-Pacific strategy of South Korea. Therefore, the country will continue to strengthen economic cooperation with ASEAN through the Korea-ASEAN FTA and RCEP.
- Related News
- Read More
Japan’s Kokuyo to acquire Vietnam's leading stationery maker Thien Long for $178 mln
Japan’s Kokuyo has announced a plan to acquire Vietnam's major stationery manufacturer Thien Long Group (HoSE: TLG) for up to JPY27.6 billion ($178.2 million), as the Japanese office-supplies giant expands its footprint in Southeast Asia.
Companies - Fri, December 5, 2025 | 1:02 pm GMT+7
Billions of new Big 4 bank shares set to hit Vietnam market as government pushes for capital hikes
Vietnam’s Big 4 banks which are state-controlled, including Vietcombank, VietinBank, BIDV, and Agribank, are preparing to issue tens of billions of new shares as stock dividends, following a government directive to accelerate charter-capital expansion.
Banking - Fri, December 5, 2025 | 12:56 pm GMT+7
Sumitomo to break ground on $111 mln industrial park project in central Vietnam early next year
Japan’s Sumitomo Corporation is expected to begin construction of its Thang Long Thanh Hoa Industrial Park phase one in Q1/2026, according to Thanh Hoa province authorities.
Industrial real estate - Fri, December 5, 2025 | 9:05 am GMT+7
Vietnam enters new phase of large-scale industrial growth, led by high-value FDI: Savills
Vietnam is entering a new phase of industrial growth, as macroeconomic indicators, FDI inflows, and infrastructure development all point to a shift from quantity-driven growth to scale and quality expansion.
Economy - Thu, December 4, 2025 | 3:30 pm GMT+7
Northern Vietnam province Phu Tho plans its largest-ever urban area project at $3.9 bln
Authorities in Phu Tho have approved plans for a VND102.84 trillion ($3.9 billion) development that would become the largest real estate project in the northern Vietnamese province.
Real Estate - Thu, December 4, 2025 | 2:11 pm GMT+7
Petrovietnam to divest 35% stake in non-life insurer PVI via auction
State-owned Petrovietnam will divest its entire 35% stake in PVI Insurance, with a full-lot public auction proposed. The sale is expected to take place by year-end or early 2026.
Companies - Thu, December 4, 2025 | 2:00 pm GMT+7
Vietnam’s Alluvia Chocolate opens its flagship store at Mekong Deltal’s My Tho cruise port
Alluvia Chocolate, a famous Vietnamese handmade chocolate brand, officially opened its flagship store at My Tho Cruise Port in the southern province of Dong Thap last Saturday.
Companies - Thu, December 4, 2025 | 1:22 pm GMT+7
Central Vietnam province Ha Tinh picks Vingroup for 2 wind power projects worth $1.48 bln
The Ha Tinh People’s Committee has selected VinEnergo, an energy arm of Vingroup, as the investor for two offshore wind power projects in Ky Anh, with a combined investment of more than VND39 trillion dong ($1.48 billion).
Energy - Thu, December 4, 2025 | 12:54 pm GMT+7
New chapter for electronics major Viettronics after Geleximco takeover
Shares of Vietnam Electronics and Informatics Corp, or Viettronics (HoSE: VEC) - long inactive and trading mostly between VND8,000-9,000 ($0.34) apiece for many years - have surged more than sevenfold over the past 11 months, rising to VND60,700 ($2.3) on Wednesday.
Companies - Thu, December 4, 2025 | 9:23 am GMT+7
Central Vietnam hub Danang faces infrastructure challenges as high-rise buildings rise along Han river
A wave of new high-rise projects along the Han River is making Danang’s urban planning and management increasingly challenging, forcing the central city to rethink strategies to ease the pressure on its urban core.
Real Estate - Thu, December 4, 2025 | 9:02 am GMT+7
Vietnam's livestock major GreenFeed reaps $65 mln in H1 profit, outpacing major rivals
GreenFeed Vietnam, a leading livestock company in the country, posted VND1.72 trillion ($65.07 million) in H1 after-tax profit, 2.5 times higher than the same period last year.
Companies - Wed, December 3, 2025 | 9:00 pm GMT+7
Eight EVNNPT employees receive Vietnam General Confederation of Labor innovation award
The Vietnam General Confederation of Labor (VGCL) has awarded its annual Creative Labor Certificate to 24 members of Vietnam Electricity's trade union, including eight employees from subsidiary National Power Transmission Corporation (EVNNPT).
Companies - Wed, December 3, 2025 | 8:42 pm GMT+7
Profit of Samsung’s 4 major Vietnam factories up 4.5% in Jan-Sept
Four major factories of Samsung Electronics in Vietnam posted a total profit of KRW4.37 trillion ($2.98 billion) in the first nine months of 2025, up 4.51% year-on-year, according to the South Korean conglomerate’s Q3 consolidated earnings statements.
Companies - Wed, December 3, 2025 | 4:52 pm GMT+7
Vietnam approves expanded list of strategic energy projects to meet rising power demand
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has approved a sweeping update to the country’s portfolio of national important and priority energy projects, marking one of the most comprehensive revisions to the sector’s development roadmap in recent years.
Energy - Wed, December 3, 2025 | 3:53 pm GMT+7
Vietnam Education Publishing House pledges $758,300 in textbooks for students in flood-hit areas
Vietnam Education Publishing House (VEPH) has pledged up to VND20 billion ($758,292) this year to provide textbooks for students in the areas stricken by typhoons, floods, and poor economic conditions.
Companies - Wed, December 3, 2025 | 12:23 pm GMT+7
International awards solidify PVI's position as top non-life insurer in Asia
PVI Insurance, the only non-life insurance company in Vietnam, has won two categories at the Insurance Asia News (IAN) Awards for Excellence 2025: General Insurer of the Year and Underwriting Initiative of the Year.
Companies - Wed, December 3, 2025 | 11:58 am GMT+7
- Industries
-
Foxconn aims to produce unmanned aerial vehicles, Xbox consoles in northern Vietnam province Bac Ninh
-
Elon Musk company close to securing pilot licence for Starlink satellite internet services in Vietnam: official
-
Aeon breaks ground on $38 mln shopping mall in Vietnam's Mekong Delta province Dong Thap
