Ministry of Trade Industry and Resources

The Trade Ministry at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) announced that the 13th round of follow-up negotiations on services and investment under the Korea–China Free Trade Agreement (FTA) will take place in Beijing from January 19 to 23, 2026. 

The talks will bring together around 30 officials from both countries, with the Korean delegation led by Kwon Hye-jin, Director General for Trade Negotiations, and the Chinese delegation headed by Lin Feng, Director General for International Trade and Economic Affairs at China’s Ministry of Commerce.

Since the Korea–China FTA entered into force in 2015, the two countries have conducted follow-up negotiations on services and investment in line with the agreed guidelines. Formal negotiations were launched in March 2018, and discussions have continued through 12 official rounds and multiple intersessional meetings.

At the Korea–China summit held in Beijing on January 5, 2026, the two sides agreed to pursue meaningful progress in the follow-up negotiations within the year. Building on this understanding, the upcoming round will focus on negotiations on agreement texts and market access across three working groups—services, investment, and financial services.

MOTIR stated it will maintain negotiation momentum by holding official rounds on a regular basis, including on a bimonthly schedule, with the participation of all relevant ministries. It added that the negotiations aim to ensure the follow-up agreement serves as a foundation for a freer and more open environment for bilateral services trade and investment.