South Korea’s Trade Minister Kim Jeong-kwan reaffirmed the government’s intention to pursue membership in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership despite President Lee Jae-myung’s instruction to reconsider the issue and defer an application this year. Kim said the ministry would first consult and persuade farmers and fishers, acknowledging their strong sense of betrayal and loss over previous free-trade negotiations.
He also maintained that an exception to the 52-hour workweek for high-income earners and research workers should be included in the proposed Special Zone Act, despite opposition from labor groups. The ministry plans to seek passage of the provision during the regular parliamentary session while discussions on social consensus continue.