South Korea will apply to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, after China’s application to the regional trade pact assuaged Seoul’s fears of upsetting its biggest trade partner.
Kwon Chil-seung, South Korea’s minister for small and medium enterprises, told the Financial Times in an interview that concerns within the government about joining the CPTPP had been resolved.
“The SME ministry and agriculture ministry had been relatively cautious, but a decision has been made internally at a collective government meeting to join the CPTPP,” he said. “The process could be delayed, but the overall direction has been set.”