Civic group asks gov’t to disclose FTA text

Posted on : 2007-07-13 15:56 KST Modified on : 2019-10-19 20:29 KST

Lawyers for Democratic Society on July 12 requested that the government disclose information on the six new or corrected articles of the final protocol of the free trade agreement (FTA) with the United States concluded on June 30.

South Korea reached a free trade agreement with the U.S. on April 2, before entering renegotiations over labor and environmental terms at the request of the U.S.

“The initial agreements released on May 25 defined Korea’s territory as one over ‘which it [Korea] exercises sovereign rights or jurisdiction,’ but the term has been changed to one ‘which it may exercise sovereign rights or jurisdiction’ - with the word ‘may’ added to it,” lawyers said at the request. They said that “As the change could leave room for controversy over the sovereignty of Dokdo Island, off the East Sea between Korea and Japan, the government should disclose all documents regarding the change to make sure everyone understands what the change means.”

They continued, “Regarding the textile sector, the provisions on country of origin have been strengthened with the terms ‘wholly formed and finished’ added.” This addition can be interpreted to mean that textiles which are produced in South Korea and dyed in North Korean territory, including the Gaeseong Industrial Complex, will be exempted from tariff advantages,” they said.

The group also demanded that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade disclose documents and conference records in relation to three remaining changed or new provisions, including a newly added investment protections clause in the preamble.


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