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).
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 meeting, the EU DAG was briefed on the latest developments in South Korea following the recent elections, as well as on status of the EU-Korea FTA and the implementation of the TSD Chapter.
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.
