SICE: Trade Policy Developments: Colombia-South Korea

In November 2009, Colombia and Korea agreed to begin negotiations towards a free trade agreement (FTA). They formally announced their intent to initiate bilateral free trade negotiations. The first round of the negotiations was held in Seoul, Korea, from 07-09 December 2009 and mainly focused on the definition of the scope and structure of the negotiations. The second round took place from 01-06 March 2010. During this round, Colombia and Korea reached an agreement on the following issues: competition, electronic commerce, transparency and cross-border services. A mini round of negotiations took place in Los Angeles, U.S., on 07 May 2010. The third round of negotiations was held in Seoul, Korea, from 14-18 June 2010. At that time, the parties reached an agreement on technical barriers to trade, telecommunications and dispute settlement. The second mini round of negotiations took place in Washington, DC, from 06-10 September 2010. The fourth round of negotiations initiated on 04 October 2010, in Cali, Colombia. The third mini round of negotiations was held in Los Angeles, U.S., from 07-09 February 2011. The fifth round of negotiations took place in Seoul, Korea, from 10 to 14 October 2011. The fifth mini round of negotiations was held in Chicago, U.S., from 27 to 29 September 2012. The sixth round of negotiations took place in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, from 23 to 27 April 2012. The seventh round of negotiations was held in Seoul, from 11 to 13 June 2012. On 25 June 2012, Colombia and Korea officially conclude negotiations for a free trade agreement.

Documents relating to the negotiations
21 February 2013	Seoul, Korea . Colombia and Korea sign free trade agreement
25 June 2012	Bogota, Colombia. Colombia and Korea conclude negotiations for a free trade agreement
	Joint Statement on the conclusion of the free trade negotiations
11-13 June 2012	Seoul, Korea. Seventh round of negotiations
23-27 April 2012	Cartagena de Indias, Colombia. Sixth round of negotiations
27-29 March 2012	Chicago, U.S. Fifth mini round of Colombia-South Korea free trade negotiations
10-14 October 2011	Seoul, Korea. Fifth round of negotiations
11 July 2011	Colombia and Korea will continue free trade negotiations in August 2011
07-09 February 2011	Los Angeles, U.S. Third mini round of free trade negotiations between Colombia and Korea
04-08 October 2010	Cali, Colombia. Fourth round of negotiations
06-10 September 2010	Washington, DC, U.S. Second mini round of free trade negotiations between Colombia and Korea
18 June 2010	Seoul, Korea. Third round of negotiations
07 May 2010	Los Angeles, U.S. Mini round of free trade negotiations between Colombia and Korea
05 March 2010	Bogota, Colombia. Second round of free trade negotiations
09 December 2009	Seoul, Korea. First round of negotiations
07 December 2009	Colombia and Korea to hold first round of free trade negotiations
Sources: Ministerio de Comercio, Industria y Turismo, Colombia; Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Republic of Korea