./.WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONWT/MIN(99)/ST/34
1 December 1999
(99-5233)
MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE
Third Session
Seattle, 30 November - 3 December 1999Original:  English
KOREA
Statement by H.E. Dr. Han Duck-Soo
Minister for Trade
Over the past 50 years, the liberalization of the multilateral trading system has produced many
great accomplishments.  First and foremost, sustained free trade has helped lift many less developed
economies from poverty and transformed them into vibrant, newly industrialized economies.  Indeed,Korea is a clear testament to that success.
Of course, the continued process of liberalizing trade has invited many new challenges and
disconcerting reactions.  Despite the difficulties, there is no doubt that
 the active promotion of – and
participation in – the continued liberalization process offers the best possible path to greaterprosperity for the future.
Based on this belief, all Members have gathered here with a common objective.  Our goal is
to further strengthen this rule-based, multilateral trading system, in order to respond to new global
challenges.  During the past decade, especially since the conclusion of the Uruguay Round,
globalization has progressed at an accelerated pace, raising new issues, and calling for further
liberalization.
Korea, along with many other Members, believes that changing realities call for a
comprehensive approach in this New Round of negotiations.  The traditional, narrow focus on market
access is no longer adequate.  In this ever 
increasingly  integrated world, we face a  greater need to
harmonize the rules on competition.  Without market competition rules based on common agreement,
any gains from new market access can be  easily rendered meaningless.  Another important area for
rule making is investment.  As trade and investment are inseparable in today's world market, we needbasic rules on international investment.  When approaching rule making for these areas, we should be
determined, yet practical.  We may begin by agreeing on basic rules and then continue from there.  A
proactive approach to rule making is also needed in the government procurement area.  Other issues
such as electronic commerce call for our attention as well.
Let me now turn to Korea's position on market liberalization.  First, regarding manufactured
goods, we need to aim for a significant reduction of remaining tariff 
barriers.  The reasons are
simple.  There are unambiguous and undisputed benefits from freer flows of trade in manufactured
goods because comparative advantage works so clearly in this sector.  Furthermore, liberalization has
been progressing in this area for the past 50 years.  We should build on that momentum.  Even though
the share of manufactured goods in world trade has been on the gradual decline, it still accounts for
more than 60 per cent of total trade.  Further lowering barriers in this sector will have a direct and
marked impact on global trade growth.
During the Uruguay Round, fishery and forestry products were included in the Market Access
Group and were treated no differently from manufactured goods.  Korea holds a particular concern forWT/MIN(99)/ST/34
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fishery and forestry products, which have special socio-economic characteristics different from
industrial goods.  Fishery and forestry products, by their nature, are susceptible to quick depletion
unless we make coordinated efforts through proper resource management to conserve them.  In
furtherance of  liberalizing trade, we should give due consideration to the distinct characteristics of
fishery and forestry products.
As for agriculture and services, we already have mandates for negotiations from the Uruguay
Round.  It is essential that we abide by those already-agreed-upon principles.  For agriculture, in
particular, we have agreed to pursue progressive liberalization.  Korea – along with other countries –
believes that this is the best approach for securing not only greater participation of Members, but also
significant and  sustainable liberalization in the long run.  On the other hand, pursuit of dramatic
liberalization within a short time-frame would only generate serious political backlash and instabilitydomestically.  Such consequences may jeopardize the entire liberalization process.  Furthermore,
Korea strongly believes that the agricultural sector cannot be treated in the same way as the
manufacturing sector, where liberalization has progressed for the past 50 years.  As we all know, the
issue of liberalizing agriculture first came into the WTO framework only
 during the Uruguay Round.
Furthermore, it is imperative that we recognize and factor in non-trade concerns for agriculture,including its multifunctional role with regard to the environment, rural development, food security,
and other areas.  An approach based on concepts such as targets, transparency, and non-market
distortion would be both overly simplistic and too costly when addressing this very complex and
difficult issue.  As
 for services, we have a simple and straightforward position;  we  advocate
comprehensive negotiations with a view to achieving balanced and broad liberalization.
Next, I would like to emphasize Korea's efforts for improving the Anti-Dumping Agreement.
Clearly, Korea  is not seeking the complete elimination of the anti-dumping rules.  However, the
current Anti-Dumping Agreement retains a number of shortcomings that have generated problems
over the past years.  Ambiguities remain and can create distortions, sometimes opening the door forabuse for protectionist purposes.  Therefore, we believe that the provisions of the WTO
Anti-Dumping Agreement should be reviewed and amended.  Korea would like to emphasize that a
significant number of  the Members regard the improvement of the Anti-Dumping Agreement to be a
critical agenda item for the New Round.
As a last point, Korea believes that the entire negotiations for these various issues should be
concluded as a single undertaking.  A single undertaking would allow for a better balance of interestsamong Members.  In addition, we need to ensure, during the negotiation process, that the interests of
least-developed countries are duly considered so that all Members realize the benefits of
liberalization.
In closing, what we are trying to achieve here is by no means an easy task.  However, too
much is at stake.  A successful launch of the New Round is essential for generating future growth and
guaranteeing greater prosperity for all.  Considering the success we have achieved over the past
50 years, I am optimistic that we can succeed once again.
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