South Korea published the Korean-language text of its free trade agreement (FTA) with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) on Friday and opened a public consultation period. The FTA, concluded in Dec. 2023, aims to boost South Korean exports to the Middle East while reducing tariffs on energy imports.

South Korea’s trade ministry stated the FTA document will be available on the government’s trade website until March 5, allowing public feedback on translation accuracy and potential revisions. The agreement, covering automobiles, petrochemicals, machinery and digital trade, is expected to be finalized after legal review and a formal signing with GCC member states, which include Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman.