South Korea says it is focused on improving its ties with ASEAN member states,... ahead of their special summit set to take place at the end of next month.
As part of those efforts,… Seoul hopes to clinch more separate free trade agreements within the regional bloc.
“Currently, we are working to conclude FTA talks with the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia. Our goal is to sign a deal before the special summit in November."
The presidential office says... such individual deals, on top of the broader free trade deal with ASEAN,... will help bolster economic ties,... amid growing trade protectionism worldwide.
If the deals are struck,… it would give South Korea five bilateral FTA partners that are ASEAN members,... including Vietnam and Singapore.