Europees Economisch en Sociaal Comité
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.
This 25th meeting of the EU DAG for Korea was the occasion for the members who participated at the joint meetings in Seoul on 13-14 September 2022 to report back to the EU DAG, and for the European Commission's DG TRADE to report from the meeting of the Committee on Trade and Sustainable Development.
The Chair of the Delegation for relations with the Korean Peninsula of the European Parliament also took part in the meeting and reported on the EP delegation's mission to Seoul, which also took place this autumn.
In addition to that, the EU DAG members discussed the preliminary draft inception report for the desk study on platform work.
The 8th EU-Korea Civil Society Forum (CSF) took place on 13 September 2022 in Seoul. During the meeting, the DAGs exchanged views on the EU and the Korea DAGs’ experiences since the first meeting in 2012. Participants also discussed ILO fundamental conventions, as well as Occupational Safety and Health in the presence of a representative from the ILO. Climate initiatives in the EU and Korea with special focus on carbon neutrality and green growth, CBAM from an EU business perspective and the Korean Carbon Neutrality Action Plan were other items on the agenda.
The CSF was completed on 14 September with a workshop on the topic of "Platform work in the EU and Korea" and a presentation on "Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence".
This meeting took place after the Civil Society Forum held in April and it gave the opportunity for the EU DAG members to follow up on the joint meeting with its Korean counterpart and discuss activities ahead.
The EU DAG and the Korea DAG met for the first time since 2018 to hold the 7th EU-Korea Civil Society Forum (CSF).
The EU DAG met to prepare the upcoming joint meetings with the Korean counterparts, which would take place 12-13 April. At the meeting, the Members discussed the progress in work on the implementation of the EU-Korea FTA, the trade situation in the context of the pandemic and the recommendations of the Panel of Expert within the dispute settlement procedure under the Trade and Sustainable Development chapter of the EU-Korea FTA.
During the meeting, the EU DAG elected its presidency for the 2020-2023 mandate. It discussed the progress of the implementation of the EU-Korea FTA, the ongoing dispute settlement procedure, initiatives in the environmental area, and exchanged views on its work programme for the new mandate.
During the meeting, the EU DAG will discuss the progress achieved by both Parties to the Agreement concerning the ILO Core Conventions as well as the next steps in their ratification and effective implementation. The EU DAG also will exchange information about the role of civil society in the EU and the Republic of Korea with a representative of the European Commission.
