House of Commons · Written Ministerial Statement
Upgraded Free Trade Agreement with the Republic of Korea: Round Four of Negotiations
08 April 2025 · Department for Business and Trade
Proposed by Douglas Alexander Lab Co-op Lothian East
Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.
At a glance
Key points
- The fourth round of negotiations on an upgraded Free Trade Agreement between the UK and South Korea focused on several key areas.
- Negotiators made progress in rules of origin, digital trade, services and business mobility, trade and gender equality, small and medium enterprises, supply chains, customs and trade facilitation.
- The fifth round of negotiations is expected to take place in Seoul in summer 2025.
Issue summary
The statement discusses the fourth round of negotiations on an upgraded Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the UK and South Korea, focusing on areas such as market access, digital trade, services mobility, gender equality, SMEs, supply chains, customs facilitation, and anti-corruption.
Action requested
Negotiators made progress in several key areas during the fourth round of talks, including rules of origin, digital trade, services and business mobility, trade and gender equality, small and medium enterprises, supply chains, customs and trade facilitation. The fifth round is expected to take place in Seoul in summer 2025.
Key facts
- Total UK-RoK trade was £15.3 billion for the period ending September 2024.
- Negotiations took place between March 10 and 21, 2025, in London.
- The fifth round of negotiations is expected to take place in Seoul in summer 2025.