Korean Supreme Court Opposing ISDS in KorUS FTA

When the KorUS FTA was negotiated from 2006, the Korean Supreme Court delivered its opinion against ISDS to the Korean government twice in 2006 and 2007. Ridiculously, the opinion of 2006 was disappeared for unknown reason. Here is the opinion of 2007. English translation was made by the Korea National Assembly in May 2012 upon request of the lawmaker Joosun Park (currently the Deputy-Speaker). Original Korean text is found here, and PDF file of the official English translation is here.

Written Opinion on RCEP to South Korean Government and Request for a Face-to-Face Meeting and Public Hearings

Written Opinion on RCEP to South Korean Government and Request for a Face-to-Face Meeting and Public Hearings

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This is English translation of the written opinion (Korean) submitted to the Korean Ministry of Trade on July 25, 2016. For PDF file, click here (Korean text, English text).

Pursuant to Article 8 of the Act on the Procedures for Concluding Commercial Treaties and the Implementation Thereof, we, the undersigned organizations and individuals, submit a written opinion on RCEP negotiation. We also call for a face-to-face meeting with the Korean negotiators and public hearings on RCEP.

TPP International Symposium and Strategy Forum

1. Goals

• Where TPP negotiation is in now
• What is its impact on domestic industries and strategy of the damaged people to come up with TPP
• International solidarity against TPP
• Mobilizing pubic disapproval against TPP

FTA letter to Obama from Korean law makers

PDF version is here.

THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA
1 Uisadang-daero, Yeongdeungpo-gu
Seoul 150-701, Korea

February 8, 2012
 
His Excellency Mr. Barack Obama
President of the United States
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
U.S.A.
 
Dear Mr. President,
 
We are writing to express our deep concern about the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (“KorUS FTA”) and our belief that the agreement needs a significant revision prior to further advancements of its implementation process.
 

Resolution of the National Assembly to Urge Renegotiation of the Korea - US Free Trade Agreement

Resolution of the National Assembly to Urge Renegotiation of the Korea - US Free Trade Agreement

Introduced: December 23, 2011
Amended: December 27, 2011
Passed: December 30, 2011

DEMAND

The National Assembly of the Republic of Korea is acutely aware of the fact that concerns have been raised about potential damage to the balance of interests between Korea and the US regarding the investor-state dispute (hereinafter the "ISD") specified under Part 2 of Chapter 11 of the Korea-US FTA during the review of the "ratification agenda in the exchange of letters concerning the free  trade agreement between Korea and the US (hereinafter the "Korea-US FTA")";

Water Cannon Crackdown on Anti-Korea-US FTA Protesters

During a peaceful march near the National Assembly building on 10th November 2011, the police force aimed directly at the protesters and shoot out a powerful stream of water. Watch how strong it was. This caused one's eardrum ruptured and severals fallen down to the street.

For more detailed story, click here and Hani News.

Water Cannon Shooting Protesters

Police aimed water cannons directly at citizens during a peaceful protest against the Korea-US FTA.

Officials from National People’s Movement and Human Rights Joint Meetings claimed one participant in the protest was hit with the water cannon by the police and passed out with her eardrum ruptured. They urged the police authorities to find and punish those responsible and immediately apologize for its excessive use of force.

Exchange of Letter between the USTR and the Korean

Recently the U.S. Trade Representative and the Korean Trade Minister exchanged a letter, which reflects the concerns raised by Korean law makers.

President Lee's Tricky Offer to the National Assembly

On 16th November, President Lee visited the National Assembly to persuade the lawmakers to pass a bill for the Korea-US FTA. The Democratic Party, the biggest opposition party, has called for the President to re-negotiate with the U.S. counterpart in advance and delete the Investor-State Dispute Settlement procedures from the FTA texts. In this unprecedent visit, President Lee offered that he would ask the U.S. government to reopen the negotiation table if the National Assembly approves the bill. But the President's offer is tricky because what he offered is not different from what the trade officials can do after the FTA comes into effect.

The Hidden History of the Korea-US FTA

This is a very interesting article posted on the Korea Policy Institute.

Korea-US Trade Agreement: The Hidden History

Tim Shorrock* | October 22, 2011

[Originally published on October 12, 2011 on TimShorrock.com]