Korean Job Discussion Forums

Enigma · Joined: 20 Mar 2008

I don't really follow what's happening in Korean politics but there seems to be a fair amount of opposition to the US-Korean Free Trade Agreement.
I'm curious if anyone can tell me what the main arguments are against the deal. And which groups are most opposed?

Note: I'm NOT looking to debate the merits of the deal or the idea of free trade in general, I'm just curious what Korean opponents of the deal are concerned about.

NohopeSeriously

Enigma · Joined: 20 Mar 2008

Thanks for the comprehensive reply.
Looks like a lot of political parties are opposed. Any idea if they're actually opposed to the agreement itself, or is it mainly political posturing?

Captain Corea · Joined: 28 Feb 2005 Location: Seoul

Most of it is lame political posturing by politicians seeking to hedge their bets.

And don't believe much of what NoHope posts - he's notorious on here for posting his opinions dressed up as facts.

Here's a question for NoHope - what do public opinion polls say about support for the FTA?

NohopeSeriously · Posted: Sun Nov 20, 2011 6:31 pm Post subject:

Ya-ta Boy · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994

Much of the opposition is political posturing since the now opposition party (Democratic Party) was the party that negotiated the deal in the first place.

The US Congress just passed the deal, has decided to send 2,500 troops to be permanently stationed in Australia, and SoS Clinton is going to Burma on Dec. 1...this trade deal is part of a US effort to beef up ties with the states that surround China, all (or most) of which are quite nervous about China's actions of the last year or so.

Mr. Kim on the street was not happy with how China supported the Norks in the Cheonan Incident and was already unhappy with the Northeast Asia history thingie.

South Korea will elect a new president late next year...just about a year from now. Just a few weeks after the US election (and several other elections). It should be an interesting year. Not so long ago, I thought Park What'shername would waltz into the Blue House. Now I'm not so sure.

Captain Corea · Joined: 28 Feb 2005 Location: Seoul

Captain Corea · Joined: 28 Feb 2005 Location: Seoul

Looks like it's done

Ya-ta Boy · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994

The tear gas was a nice touch.

Captain Corea · Joined: 28 Feb 2005 Location: Seoul

I figured it'd be NoHope shedding the tear, not Hanara-Dang. lol

NohopeSeriously · Posted: Tue Nov 22, 2011 7:07 am Post subject:

NohopeSeriously · Posted: Tue Nov 22, 2011 7:10 am Post subject:

Captain Corea · Joined: 28 Feb 2005 Location: Seoul

Fat_Elvis · Joined: 17 Aug 2006 Location: In the ghetto

Claims that the FTA will increase jobs are based on economic models that are based on assumptions that bear no resemblance to the real world and are not empirically validated. When you look at studies that are based on real world observations the results of FTAs are mixed at best.

Also, the part related to tariff reductions is actually just a small part of a much larger agreement, encompassing everything from environmental regulation to the financial industry, all of which are aimed at limiting the ability of government to regulate the areas listed in the agreement. You can see the results of this kind of liberalisation in the financial crisis of a few years ago.

And Captain Corea, I haven't seen any poll figures for support of the FTA but it wouldn't surprise me if a majority supported it as there's been a virtual meida blackout of any opposition to it. Journalists who speak out against the FTA are sacked by editors and postings against it onNaver and Daum are deleted, thanks to the chaebol-friendly government and their friends in the media.

jvalmer · Joined: 06 Jun 2003

Even if a leftist party were currently in power (who negotiated the FTA btw), it would have passed either way.

Although I'm not a big fan of FTA, however countries that don't have them will be left behind.