South Korea, Thailand accelerate negotiations on economic partnership agreement - South Korean media

The South Korean government will begin the fifth round of official negotiations with Thailand to conclude an economic partnership agreement (EPA). According to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, the South Korean government will hold the fifth official negotiations with Thailand to conclude an economic partnership agreement (EPA).
The delegation will be in Bangkok, Thailand from the 22nd to the 25th, where they will meet with Chotima Iumsawasdikool of the Thai Ministry of Commerce.
The fifth official round of EPA negotiations will be held with a Thai delegation led by Director General of Trade Negotiations, Mr. Iemsawadikul.
Since South Korea and Thailand announced the start of EPA negotiations in March 2023, they have held four official rounds of negotiations.
The two countries are currently in discussions to conclude a bilateral EPA, which would be at a higher level than the ASEAN and Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (ECEP).
The current negotiations have focused on 13 areas, including goods, services, investment, intellectual property rights, and sustainable development.
The two sides will hold a trade forum and a meeting with companies planning to enter the RCEP.
At the meeting with Lam, the plan is to discuss how to increase Korean companies' utilization of RCEP, hear about issues faced by companies that have expanded into the region, such as U.S. tariff measures, and discuss support measures.
Mayor Roh said, "Amid the rapid changes in the trade environment, including the U.S. tariff measures, the bilateral trade agreement will serve as a strong safety valve for Korea's export sector. It will ease uncertainty for companies and diversify export markets."
In order to expand a wide range of economic cooperation between Korea and Thailand in areas such as cross-border trade, digitalization, and the economy, the goal is to conclude an EPA with Thailand, the second largest economy in ASEAN and a promising market.
"We will accelerate negotiations on this issue," he said.