What did Lee Jae Myung promise farmers and fishermen about Korea joining the CPTPP?

Lee said there would be no cases of farmers and fishermen sustaining unfair damage. He added that he had instructed officials to decide on CPTPP entry through sufficient communication with them.

Why does Lee Jae Myung say South Korea needs CPTPP membership despite opposition from farmers and fishermen?

Lee said Korea relies on trade and needs to expand its global export markets. He argued that securing CPTPP membership would be necessary for the country to go to the next level.

How could CPTPP membership affect South Korea’s agricultural and fisheries industries?

The article says market opening associated with CPTPP membership is likely to hurt the agricultural and fisheries sectors, even as membership is expected to help boost Korea’s exports. Lee called those sectors critical to national strategy and security and survival.

Lee says aware of farmers' concerns over CPTPP membership, vows to prevent unfair damage

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Summary

President Lee Jae Myung told representatives of agricultural, fisheries, forestry and livestock industries on Monday that he would work to prevent unfair damage to farmers and fishermen from Korea’s potential CPTPP membership. He said officials would make decisions on joining after sufficient communication with them. Lee described the sectors as critical national strategic and security industries, while saying CPTPP membership was necessary for Korea to expand export markets and advance.

Key Facts

Earlier this month, Lee ordered the government not to apply for CPTPP membership this year and pledged sufficient consultations with farmers and fishermen opposed to joining.
The article says CPTPP membership is expected to boost Korea’s exports, while market opening is likely to hurt the agricultural and fisheries sectors.
Lee said Korea relies on trade and that securing CPTPP membership would be necessary to go to the next level, despite opposition.

By Yonhap

Published Oct 26, 2026 3:56 pm KST

President Lee Jae Myung speaks during a meeting with representatives from the agricultural, fisheries, forestry and livestock industries at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul, Monday. Joint Press Corps

President Lee Jae Myung on Monday acknowledged concerns among farmers and fishermen over Korea's potential entry into the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), ensuring he will make efforts to prevent any unfair damage to them.

The president made the pledge during a meeting with representatives from the agricultural, fisheries, forestry and livestock industries as he sought to address controversies facing the sectors, including CPTPP membership.

Earlier this month, Lee ordered the government not to apply for CPTPP membership this year, pledging to hold sufficient consultations with farmers and fishermen who are opposed to Korea's entry into the major Indo-Pacific trade bloc.

While CPTPP membership is expected to help boost Korea's exports, the agricultural and fisheries sectors are likely to take a hit from market opening.

"I know that there are worries and concerns over CPTPP ... To be clear, there will be no cases of you sustaining unfair damage," the president said, adding he had instructed officials to make decisions on CPTPP entry through sufficient communications with farmers and fishermen.

The president called the agricultural and fisheries sectors national strategic and security industries critical to survival.

Lee highlighted that expanding global export markets is very important for Korea, which relies on trade, and that securing CPTPP membership would be necessary to "go to the next level," despite opposition.

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