In the 23rd hybrid meeting of the EU Domestic Advisory Group (DAG) under the EU-Korea Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which was the first EU DAG meeting after the Civil Society Forum with the Korean counterparts, all participants underlined the importance of the ratification of three fundamental ILO conventions by the Republic of Korea in April 2021. This ratification by the Korean government sends an important message to the other countries of the Asian region, providing a strong incentive for them to ratify the ILO core conventions at an early stage of their engagement in FTA negotiations with the EU.
The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) hosted on 12 April the 7th meeting of the EU-Korea Civil Society Forum, an online event that gathered civil society representatives to discuss on labour-related issues, including working hours, civil dialogue and the state of play of the implementation of international standards and conventions (ILO). Participants also celebrated the 10th anniversary of the implementation of the EU-Korea Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
During the meeting, the EU DAG will receive an update from DG Trade on the EU-Korea FTA and the implementation of the TSD Chapter. EU DAG members and DG Trade will report back from the Civil Society Forum and workshop held in September 2024. In addition to that, European Chamber of Commerce in Korea (ECCK) will make a presentation on this year's ECCK White Paper, and the EU DAG will discuss current situation in South Korea in light of the geopolitical situation with Professor Ramon Pacheco Pardo.
The 10th EU-Korea Civil Society Forum (CSF) took place on 9-10 September 2024 in Seoul. The event started with a workshop discussing Artificial Intelligence and its impact on the world of work and workers, as well as response to demographic change in terms of low fertility and aging in South Korea.
The EU and Korea Domestic Advisory Groups (DAGs) will hold an Intersessional Workshop on Platform Work in an online format on 30 May 2024 09:00-11:00. It will be an occasion for the members of the DAGs to exchange views on the response of Korean Social Insurance Law to the diversification of employment status in South Korea, on the EU Directive on improving working conditions in platform work, as well as on challenges and cases on the ground in the context of platform work.
During the meeting, the EU DAG discussed past and upcoming Civil Society Forums as well as the preparation of the intersessional meeting on the topic of platform work. It was likewise an opportunity for members to receive an update from DG Trade on the EU-Korea FTA and the implementation of the TSD Chapter. The EU DAG also exchanged views on the DAG's priorities for this mandate.
The 9th EU-Korea Civil Society Forum (CSF) took place on 4-5 September 2023 in Brussels. The event started with a workshop discussing cooperation in international fora on environment and climate and the state of play of CSR in the EU and Korea.
During the meeting, the EU DAG elected its presidency for the 2023-2025 term and had a tour de table to introduce the respective members and the organisations they represent.
It was likewise an opportunity for members to receive an update from the European Commission on the implementation of the TSD Chapter and information on the preparations of the meeting of the Committee on Trade and Sustainable Development. The members also discussed EU-Korea relations with a special focus on the outcome of the 10th EU-Republic of Korea summit, held on 22 May in Seoul.
Other items on the agenda were the Rules of Procedure of the DAG and the preparation of the upcoming Civil Society Forum and the workshop with the Korean counterparts to take place this autumn.
During this meeting, the EU DAG discussed with the expert the final draft report for the desk study on "Non-Standard employment and platform work on the international arena – with a specific focus on the point of view from Korea". It was likewise an opportunity for members to receive an update from DG Trade on the implementation of the TSD Chapter and the follow-up of the recommendations of the Panel of Experts. The EU DAG Chair also reported on the hearing of the DAGs at the European Parliament's INTA Committee meeting, held on 21 March 2023.
Finally, the members summarized the 2020-2023 mandate and exchanged views on the future priorities of the EU DAG.
