Joint Press Release with the Ministry of Foreign AffairsFirst Round of Negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) among Japan, China and the ROK

1. The first round of negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) among Japan, China and the Republic of Korea (ROK) will be held in Seoul, Korea from March 26 to 28.
2. From the Japanese side, Mr. Koji Tsuruoka, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs (Chief Delegate), and representatives from other relevant ministries attended the meeting. From the Chinese side, Mr. Yu Jianhua, Assitant Minister for FTA of Commerce of the People's Republic of China (Chief Delegate), and other representatives attended the meeting. From the Korean side, Mr. Choi Kyonglim, Deputy Minister for Trade, Ministry of Trade, Industrie and Energy of the Republic of Korea (Chief Delegate), and other representatives attended the meeting.
3. In this round of negotiations, the scope and method of negotiations, amongst others, were discussed.
4. The next round of negotiations will be held in China. The venue and the dates will be arranged through diplomatic channels.

March 28, 2013

Economic Partnership Division, Trade Policy Bureau