Update following round 4 of negotiations on an upgraded Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with South Korea

Negotiations took place in London between 10 and 21 March 2025.

The fourth round of negotiations to upgrade the existing Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the Republic of Korea (RoK) took place in London between 10 and 21 March 2025. As with previous rounds, negotiators from both sides engaged productively across a broad range of areas in an ongoing effort to enhance and solidify the economic partnership between us.

Negotiations continue to centre around three key objectives:

1. Securing and future proofing existing arrangements: Progress was made in rules of origin discussions. Product Specific Rules were discussed for a range of important exporting sectors. Negotiators will continue to seek a chapter which accounts for both existing and future supply chains.
2. Capturing recent advances in Trade Policy: Negotiations on a new and comprehensive Digital Trade chapter progressed positively, with commitments on data, trade digitisation and business safeguards under discussion this round.
3. Supporting our strategic relationship with the Republic of Korea: During the round good progress was made towards agreeing new cooperation commitments covering areas such as the Environment, Trade and Gender Equality and Supply Chains.

Economic growth is the core mission of this government, and this FTA has an important role to play in supporting our £15.3 billion trade relationship with the Republic of Korea.

The government will only ever sign a trade agreement which aligns with the UK’s national interests, upholding high standards across a range of sectors, including protections for the National Health Service.

The fifth round of negotiations is currently expected to take place in Seoul in the Summer of 2025.