World · East Asia & Pacific · 4 hrs ago
South Korea puts CPTPP membership application on hold
South Korea has paused its plan to apply to join the CPTPP this year, following an order from President Lee Jae-myung.
The trade pact has 12 members, including Japan, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia.
Together, they account for about 14% of global GDP and a quarter of South Korea’s goods trade.
The agreement aims to deepen trade links through broad tariff cuts and shared rules for sourcing materials.
Farmers fear more competition for Korean produce if tariffs on sensitive crops such as garlic, onions and peppers are removed.
Export businesses, meanwhile, argue membership could help South Korea manage trade uncertainty and supply-chain risks.
No new application date has been announced, and the government has said concerns about agriculture and fisheries need discussion.
President Lee Jae-myung instructed the government to put on hold an application for South Korea to join the CPTPP this year.
The decision was attributed to strong opposition from farmers over opening the agricultural market.
South Korea’s trade minister has said joining the pact makes sense for a trading nation, while calling for discussion of concerns over farm and seafood products.
Export businesses say membership could help South Korea respond to trade uncertainty and supply-chain risks.
The 12-member CPTPP accounts for about 14% of global GDP, according to Yonhap.
- Who
- South Korean President Lee Jae-myung instructed the government to delay the application. Farmers and export businesses are among those affected.
- What
- South Korea has put its planned application to join the CPTPP on hold.
- When
- The president gave the instruction last week, according to the article published on October 16, 2026.
- Where
- South Korea; the CPTPP covers countries in the Asia-Pacific and beyond.
- Why
- The decision was attributed to farmers’ strong opposition to opening the agricultural market.
South Korean export businesses
South Korean agricultural sector
Membership
South Korean export businesses
Export businesses see joining the CPTPP as important amid trade uncertainty and supply-chain risks.
South Korean agricultural sector
Farmers fear greater market access for imported agricultural products will harm domestic producers.
Trade policy
South Korean export businesses
Export businesses regret the delay, while understanding the government’s concerns.
South Korean agricultural sector
Agricultural groups are concerned that opening sensitive farm and seafood markets could deepen losses and threaten food security.
The Park Geun-hye government expressed interest in joining the TPP, the CPTPP’s predecessor, but prioritized other trade negotiations.
The Moon Jae-in government formally announced plans to pursue membership but did not submit an application.
President Lee instructed the government to put the planned CPTPP application on hold.
- CPTPP membership
- 12 countries
- Share of global GDP
- About 14%
- South Korea’s trade minister
- Kim Jung-kwan
- Planned application
- Put on hold after President Lee’s instruction last week
What people are saying
It would be strange for a trading nation like South Korea not to join CPTPP.
Because there are difficulties with our agricultural and fishery products, sufficient discussion and candid gathering of opinions are necessary.