11th meeting of the EU-Korea Civil Society Forum under the EU-Korea Free Trade Agreement and Workshop

The 11th EU-Korea Civil Society Forum (CSF) and Workshop took place on 8–9 September 2025 in Brussels. The event opened with a discussion on the benefits of social dialogue in the context of amplified trade diversification.

During the CSF, the members of the Domestic Advisory Groups (DAGs) also discussed the green shipping corridors and the link to a just transition focusing on a people-centred approach, migrant workers given Korea’s declining birth rate and aging population as well as the EU's transposition process of the Platform Work Directive and the work of the International Labour Conference (ILC) to initiate the development of a legally binding convention for decent working conditions.

In particular, members assessed the implementation progress of the 2021 Panel of Experts’ recommendations regarding Korea's labour commitments under the EU-Korea Free Trade Agreement.  This session, with the participation of a representative from the ILO, also covered the ratification status of ILO conventions on occupational safety and health.

In the final part of the CSF the members discussed the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) including Battery Digital Product Passport (DPP), the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (EU CBAM) and Korea’s approach to resource efficiency and industrial decarbonisation.

The event also featured a workshop on the digitalisation of the economy in the EU and South Korea, with a particular focus on the use of Artificial Intelligence in trade from business, labour, and environmental perspectives.

Joint conclusions, prepared by both sides, were discussed and adopted.