[Lee Byung-jong] Korea needs to join CPTPP

The Korea Herald · Korea Herald · 2026-11-05 20:30 UTC

Can an extremely trade-dependent country afford to remain outside the most important free trade agreement in its region? Unfortunately, that is what South Korea

Can an extremely trade-dependent country afford to remain outside the most important free trade agreement in its region? Unfortunately, that is what South Korea appears to be trying to do.

President Lee Jae Myung recently announced that his government is unlikely to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership during his term, which ends in 2030. Citing concerns about the agreement's harmful effects on agriculture and other sectors, he said Korea would not apply for CPTPP membership for the time being, while acknowledging that joining would be "unavoidable" in the future because of the enormous strategic and economic benefits it would bring to the country as a whole.

Given Lee's declining approval ratings, his decision to avoid the political costs is understandable. Yet it could cost the country dearly in economic and diplomatic terms over the long run.

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