{"id":2202562,"date":"2023-10-25T17:00:22","date_gmt":"2023-10-25T08:00:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/?p=2202562"},"modified":"2023-10-26T17:02:11","modified_gmt":"2023-10-26T08:02:11","slug":"south-koreas-entry-in-global-digital-economy-pact-signals-ambitious-goals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2023\/10\/south-koreas-entry-in-global-digital-economy-pact-signals-ambitious-goals\/","title":{"rendered":"South Korea\u2019s entry in global digital economy pact signals ambitious goals"},"content":{"rendered":"
In June 2023, South Korea affirmed its digital strategy by becoming <\/span>the first non-founding member<\/span><\/a> to join the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement (<\/span>DEPA<\/span><\/a>).<\/span><\/p>\n The ROK\u2019s participation in DEPA, initiated by New Zealand, Chile and Singapore in 2020, goes beyond expanding its portfolio of global trade agreements. It represents the country\u2019s commitment to actively participate in shaping the regulatory framework of the increasingly digital global economy.<\/span><\/p>\n Having been involved in numerous World Trade Organization <\/span>discussions and agreements<\/span><\/a> concerning digital trade, South Korea is well-acquainted with the complexities of the digital economy.<\/span><\/p>\n Through its DEPA membership, South Korea is positioning itself as a key player with the potential to influence the standards and policies governing digital trade. This move isn\u2019t solely about leadership on the global stage. It also highlights South Korea\u2019s acknowledgment of the growing commercial interests in digital trade regulation.<\/span><\/p>\n The move is anticipated to benefit a broad range of sectors, from large tech companies and e-commerce platforms to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), demonstrating the country\u2019s holistic approach to the digital economy.<\/span><\/p>\n Thus, South Korea\u2019s decision to join DEPA signals its determination to ensure its businesses are not just bystanders but influential actors in the global digital economy. It marks a calculated move toward a future where South Korean businesses, cultural exports and tech innovations form a significant part of the international digital landscape.<\/span><\/p>\n EXPANDING DIGITAL FRONTIERS<\/b><\/p>\n South Korea, with its extensive network of <\/span>21 active free trade agreements<\/span><\/a> (FTAs) covering 59 countries, is no novice in the arena of international trade. The country is in the midst of negotiating 12 more FTAs, though some, like the anticipated <\/span>trilateral deal<\/span><\/a> involving South Korea, China and Japan, might take longer to come to fruition. Another recent agreement with the <\/span>Philippines<\/span><\/a> is pending ratification, highlighting South Korea\u2019s continuous efforts to expand its trade horizons.<\/span><\/p>\n The necessity for South Korea to engage in a digital-focused trade agreement like DEPA becomes evident when considering the evolving landscape of global commerce. Most of the nation\u2019s extensive array of existing FTAs center on traditional trade in goods, with minimal attention to the burgeoning digital economy. Digital trade elements, if present in agreements such as the one with <\/span>Singapore<\/span><\/a> from 2005, are often broad and lack the depth required to address the nuanced complexities of today’s digital transactions.<\/span><\/p>\n The <\/span>U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement<\/span><\/a> is distinctive, containing specific provisions concerning the free flow of data, setting a precedent for future digital trade regulations. However, internationally, the framework for digital trade is still unclear and underdeveloped. Efforts such as the World Trade Organization\u2019s (WTO) discussions on e-commerce encounter challenges due to <\/span>opposition from developing nations<\/span><\/a>, a lack of clear leadership and the increasing intricacy of policy issues.<\/span><\/p>\n South Korea\u2019s participation in DEPA indicates an intention beyond addressing regulatory voids; it signifies a strategic move in the international arena. The country is utilizing its extensive background in FTA negotiations and WTO dealings, coupled with its prominence as a key <\/span>IT products exporter<\/span><\/a>, to establish a significant role in shaping regional digital trade norms \u2014 a role reminiscent of the EU\u2019s \u201c<\/span>normative power<\/span><\/a>\u201d approach.<\/span><\/p>\n This involvement is a long-term strategy aimed at not only enhancing current trade conditions but also at influencing the trajectory of the digital economy and South Korea\u2019s standing within it.<\/span><\/p>\n