What did Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol say about Korea joining the CPTPP?

Koo said the government will review whether to seek membership by examining the tangible benefits to national interest and people’s livelihoods. He also said the government will begin gathering public opinion on the issue.

Why is Korea reviewing possible CPTPP membership now?

Koo said the government wants to strengthen ties with like-minded nations to stabilize supply chains. He added that joining would mean a high level of market opening, so the economic effects and industry impact need to be analyzed first.

Which sectors did the finance ministry say it would focus on in the CPTPP review?

The ministry said it would carefully examine the potential impact on the agricultural and fisheries sectors. It also said it would prepare effective supplementary measures in advance if the government later decides to seek membership.

Finance minister vows to expand trade network, review possible CPTPP membership

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Summary

Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol said Korea will expand its multilateral trade network and begin gathering public opinion on possible membership in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership. He said the government will review tangible benefits, economic effects and industry impacts before deciding whether to seek membership. The ministry also said it will listen closely to views from the agricultural and fisheries sectors and prepare supplementary measures if needed. Officials also discussed broader economic cooperation with Central Asian and African partners next month.

Key Facts

The CPTPP is led by Japan and currently has 12 members, including Australia, Canada, Mexico and Britain.
Koo said the government will examine the effects of CPTPP membership on different industries from an objective perspective and present the results to the public.
The ministry said it will particularly study the potential impact on the agricultural and fisheries sectors and listen to those affected.
The participants also discussed expanding economic cooperation through a Korea-Central Asia summit and an economic ministerial meeting with African countries, both scheduled for next month.

By Yonhap

Published Aug 27, 2026 9:48 am KST

Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol speaks during a ministerial meeting on external economic affairs at the Government Complex Seoul, Thursday. Yonhap

Korea's finance ministry vowed to make efforts to bolster the country's multilateral trade network, noting the government will begin gathering public opinion on possible membership in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol made the remark during a meeting on external economic affairs with related ministers, stressing the need to enhance ties with like-minded nations to stabilize supply chains.

"We will review whether to seek membership by closely examining what tangible benefits to the national interest and people's livelihoods can be made from membership," Koo said in opening remarks.

"(As joining the CPTPP leads to) a high level of market opening, we will thoroughly analyze its economic effects and impact on different industries from an objective perspective and present the results to the public," Koo added.

The CPTPP is a multilateral trade pact led by Japan that currently includes 12 members, including Australia, Canada, Mexico and Britain.

Koo said the government will particularly examine the potential impact on the agricultural and fisheries sectors and carefully listen to opinions from those affected.

"Should we decide to seek membership in the future, we will preemptively prepare effective supplementary measures," Koo said.

The participants also discussed measures to expand economic cooperation with emerging partners through the summit between Korea and Central Asian nations and the economic ministerial meeting with African countries, both slated for next month.

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