Home > World > World

Korea, Thailand set to hold fifth round of economic partnership negotiations

Published: 22 Apr. 2025, 08:57 Updated: 22 Apr. 2025, 14:55

The office of the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Energy in Sejong. [YONHAP]

Korea and Thailand were set to kick off their fifth round of negotiations for a bilateral economic partnership agreement (EPA) Tuesday, as the two sides seek to broaden their cooperation in trade and investment, Seoul's Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said.

The latest round of talks for the EPA is set to run for four days in Bangkok, according to the industry ministry.

The two sides plan to focus on making progress in 13 sectors that cover goods, services and investment, as well as sustainable development, it added.

An EPA aims to establish a mutually beneficial trade network between partner nations beyond a simple market opening, though it covers a smaller scope compared to a traditional FTA.

"We will work to swiftly strike an EPA with Thailand, the second-biggest economy among the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and a prominent market, to expand cooperation on a variety of economic issues," Roh Keon-ki, deputy minister for trade negotiations at the ministry, said.

"Bilateral trade agreements serve as a strong safety net for our exports amid the fast changing global trade environment with U.S. tariffs," he added.

Yonhap