The European Union and the Republic of Korea

The citizens of the European Union have enjoyed six decades of unprecedented peace, prosperity and security. Based on the principles of liberty, democracy, respect for human rights and the rule of law, the EU is the most successful peace project in history. In recognition of its efforts to advance the causes of peace, reconciliation, democracy and human rights in Europe, the EU received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2012. The EU decided to dedicate the prize money to children who are denied the chance of growing up in peace.

The second-largest global economy and the biggest global market, the EU is also a global security provider. The 2016 Global Strategy for the EU's Foreign and Security Policy which is guided by key principles, will enhance the security of its citizens and its territory and reinforce the role of the EU as a responsible global actor. 

In spite of their wide cultural differences and the geographic distance that sets them apart, the Republic of Korea and the EU share the same commitment to democracy, human rights, the rule of law and a market economy. 

Since the upgrade of relations between the EU and the Republic of Korea to a Strategic Partnership, in 2010, the level of commitment from both sides has been very high. The three key agreements, covering all three pillars of political, trade and security, as well as more specific agreements in several fields, offer a wide scope for cooperation and room for further development of relations between the European Union and the Republic of Korea. 

Because it is one of the EU’s only 10 strategic partners (4 in Asia), the Republic of Korea is extremely important for the EU, which sees it as a country with the political and economic clout to make a difference at the global and regional levels, to contribute to the resolution of international crises and to address the key challenges of the 21st century. 

The bilateral agreement (in force since 2014) sets up the overall framework for our bilateral cooperation and addresses a wide range of international concerns, including the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, human rights, counter-terrorism, climate change, energy security and development assistance. Those are areas where cooperation can be enhanced. 

The bilateral  Free Trade Agreement (FTA) (in force since 2015) aims at removing barriers to bilateral trade, thereby creating an expanded and secure market for goods and services and a stable and predictable environment for investment. It is the most ambitious trade deal ever implemented by the EU and a success story deal for both the EU and the RoK.  

The bilateral Crisis Management Participation Agreement (FPA) (in force since 2016) reinforces our strategic partnership and politically underlines our shared values and security interests. As one of the most advanced democracies in Asia, RoK's capacity in civilian administration, law enforcement and peacekeeping could significantly boost EU-led missions and contribute to peace and stability worldwide. 

• Political Relations with the EU 
• Economic and Trade Relations with the EU 
• Education and Culture 
• Science and Technology 
• Climate Change and Energy 

During the 8th Summit between the EU and the Republic of Korea, which was held on 15 September 2015 in Seoul, both sides agreed to continue to invest in comprehensive, mutually beneficial and future-oriented relations. 

The last Joint Committee meeting, which took place in Seoul on 23 June 2016, gave the opportunity to consolidate the existing comprehensive cooperation and to deliver the commitments agreed in the framework of the 2015 bilateral summit. 

The bilateral Framework Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Korea.

The Framework Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Korea was signed on 10 May 2010 and entered into force on 1 June 2014.  

The first Agreement of its kind between the EU and an Asian country, the Framework Agreement still provides a comprehensive legal framework covering a wide spectrum of policy fields, including inter alia human rights, non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, combating terrorism, the fight against corruption and organised crime, trade, migration, environment, energy, climate change, transport, science and technology, employment and social affairs, education, agriculture, development assistance, culture, etc. 

The Framework Agreement established a Joint Committee to facilitate the implementation and to further the general aims of the Agreement, to maintain the overall coherence in the relations and to ensure the proper functioning of any other agreement between the Parties. The 13th Joint Committee meeting was held on 23 June 2016 in Seoul. 

More than 35 different bilateral dialogues and regular meetings allow the EU and the Republic of Korea to advance cooperation on a number of political, sectoral and global issues. The Joint Committee established under the bilateral Framework Agreement ensures and monitors its implementation. 

Like in the Republic of Korea, fundamental rights are guaranteed nationally by the constitutions of the Member States and at EU level by the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. 

Under the aegis of the UN bodies, the Republic of Korea and the European Union also promote human rights abroad. The European Union views all human rights as universal, indivisible and interdependent. It actively promotes and defends them both within its borders and when engaging in relations with non-EU countries. 

The 2012 strategic framework on human rights and democracy is designed to make EU human rights policy more effective and consistent. Promoting human rights work can help to prevent and resolve conflicts and, ultimately, to alleviate poverty. 

In 2012, the EU appointed Mr. Stavros Lambrinidis as a Special representative for human rights. The EU has also adopted a number of guidelines to promote specific human rights. EU guidelines are not legally binding, but because they have been adopted at ministerial level, they represent a strong political signal that they are priorities for the Union. 

• Death penalty - 2013 
• Torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment - 2012 
• Promotion and protection of freedom of religion or belief - 2013 
• Promote and protect the enjoyment of all Human Rights by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) - 2013 
• Human Rights dialogues with third countries 
• Children and armed conflict - 2008 
• Human Rights defenders - 2008 
• Violence against women and girls and combating all forms of discrimination against them - 2008 
• International Humanitarian Law 
• EU Human Rights Guidelines on Freedom of Expression Online and Offline - 2014

In 2017, the EU revised the 2008 guidelines for the promotion and protection of the rights of the child. 

The Member States of the European Union are all Parties to the UN Human Rights Convention and the European Union is a State Party to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, in its own right.   

The Republic of Korea is party to most of the main International Human Rights instruments with the exception of the Optional Protocol of the Convention against torture and the Optional Protocol to the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights on the abolition of the Death Penalty. The Republic of Korea has not acceded to four of the ILO’s core conventions, Conventions 29 and 105 on forced labour and Conventions 87 and 98 on freedom of association, the protection of the right to organise and collective bargaining. The positions of the Republic of Korea and the European Union are aligned in the Human Rights Council and at the UN General Assembly - not least on the issue of Human Rights in the DPRK especially the EU-Japan led resolution. 

During the latest Universal Periodic Review by the UN Human Rights Council, which took place in 2012, the Republic of Korea accepted 42 of the 70 recommendations issued. The third UPR will be taking place in 2017. 

Every year, the EU and the Republic of Korea hold human rights consultations, marks international human rights day (10 December) and other international day events relating to human rights, such as International Women’s Day (8 March). The EU Annual Report on Human Rights and Democracy appraises its human rights work worldwide on a thematic basis and on a geographical basis, including in the Republic of Korea. 

Disarmament and Non Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction.

The EU strongly and consistently supports international diplomatic and counter-proliferation efforts and works closely with the Republic of Korea on addressing DPRK nuclear and ballistic challenges. In support of the UN Security Council resolutions, the EU has adopted a series of sanctions, including additional sanctions, lastly on 6 April 2017. 

Since its establishment, the European External Action Service (EEAS), coordinates the EU positions in international non-proliferation and disarmament fora, to ensure the active and visible EU role. In 2013, Jacek Bylica was appointed as the EU Special Envoy on Non-proliferation and Disarmament in order to reinforce EU action and enhance the visibility of its relevant policies. 

The Republic of Korea is also active, as one of the 65 members of the Conference on Disarmament (CD), which was established in 1979 to negotiate the Biological Weapons Convention(link is external) and the Chemical Weapons Convention. In November 2016, the 15th Republic of Korea-United Nations joint conference on disarmament and non-proliferation issues was held on Jeju Island. 

The engagement of the Republic of Korea towards promoting the international non-proliferation regime, including as the chair of Nuclear Supplier's Group and the Missile Technology Control Regime has to be underlined. 

In November 2016, the Republic of Korea became the 91st State Party to the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) and the European Union looks forward to working together with the Republic of Korea on the effective implementation of the ATT. 

The participation of the Republic of Korea in EU crisis management operations.

The bilateral Agreement on EU crisis management operations came into force in December 2016 and reinforces the Strategic Partnership between the two entities by establishing a framework for the participation of the RoK in EU crisis management operations of a civilian and military character. 

There are currently 16 EU crisis management operations in the world, where the EU mobilises all relevant instruments (political, diplomatic, economic, financial, military, consular, judicial and development aid related) to respond to emerging or ongoing crises throughout the world. 

In March 2017, only a few months after the entry into force of the bilateral Agreement, the Republic of Korea dispatched the warship Choi Young to the EU naval force’s counter-piracy operation in the Gulf of Aden off the coast of Somalia. 

Trade Relations with the EU 

The Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the EU and the Republic of Korea was applied in July 2011 and formally entered into force in 2015. It is the first trade deal with an Asian country and the first to include a chapter on trade and sustainable development.

To complement the FTA, the EU-Korea concluded a Digital Trade Agreement in March 2025.

For more information on the FTA and its implementation, see https://policy.trade.ec.europa.eu/eu-trade-relationships-country-and-region/countries-and-regions/south-korea_en

For practical information concerning the application of the FTA, please consult the Market Access Data Base. 

EU-Republic of Korea trade relations 

The Republic of Korea is a dynamic economy with a GDP of over €1,.5 trillion, ranking 12th in the world in 2025. The Republic of Korea is a strategic partner of the EU.   

The EU is the largest investor in the Republic of Korea, accounting for over 25 % of the FDI stock in the Republic of Korea. 

For more information on EU Korea trade relations see https://policy.trade.ec.europa.eu/eu-trade-relationships-country-and-region/countries-and-regions/south-korea_en 

Cooperation on competition policy 

The EU and the Republic of Korea have a cooperation agreement concerning the application of their competition laws to anti-competitive activities. The agreement was signed in 2009 and the EU and Korean competition authorities are cooperating regularly on investigations of cases of international cartels or other anti-competitive practices affecting our economies. 

EU-Republic of Korea economic relations 

In the field of economic relations, the European Commission and the Republic of Korea work together not only in multilateral fora, like the G20, but also bilaterally in an annual macroeconomic dialogue. In this dialogue, both Parties analysed and exchanged views on the respective economic situations and areas of mutual interest, and make policy recommendations. Since 2011, the EU-Korea Macroeconomic Dialogues have been held annually. 

On the EU economy, see the latest data from the the European Commission at https://economy-finance.ec.europa.eu/index_en

Preventing dangerous climate change is a key priority for the European Union, which is working hard to cut its greenhouse gas emissions substantially while encouraging other nations, including the Republic of Korea, and other regions to do likewise. See EU climate action website.

With its roadmap for moving to a low carbon economy by 2050, the European Union is looking beyond its 2020 objectives and setting out a plan to meet the long-term target of reducing domestic emissions by 80 to 95 % by mid-century. The European Union is a Party to the Paris Agreement on Climate change, in its own right. 

The Republic of Korea, the world's 12th largest greenhouse gas (GHG) emitting country, submitted an 'intended nationally determined contribution' (INDC) to the Climate Convention (UNFCCC) Secretariat ahead of COP-21, which took place in Paris at the end of 2015. The country plans to reduce its GHG emissions by 37 % by 2030 compared with a business-as-usual scenario in 2030. The Republic of Korea ratified the Paris Agreement on climate change in November 2016. 

The EU welcomes the Republic of Korea's new target and appreciates its active and constructive contribution to multilateral dialogue processes such as international negotiations on climate change and the Major Economies Forum. 

Bilaterally, the EU and the Republic of Korea have cooperated on a wide range of issues in the field of climate change, especially technical cooperation on the emissions trading scheme. As the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) is a key policy for both sides toward meeting the target of reducing GHG emissions, the EU and the Republic of Korea have launched a technical cooperation project on the ETS. They are now in the process of launching a Low Carbon Action cooperation project. 

Education 

The EU and the Republic of Korea both face similar challenges in terms of ageing populations and the need to compete in high-value sectors and nurture a skilled workforce to deal with these challenges. In that context, they also recognise the crucial contribution higher education makes to developing a globally competitive, knowledge-based economy and so boosting growth and jobs inter alia through the promotion of entrepreneurship. 

The EU and the Republic of Korea both have much to gain by expanding academic links. The outstanding reputation of Korean education, and the country's leading role in research and technological development, make the Republic of Korea a highly valued partner. 

The Joint Declaration signed on 11 November 2013 provides the framework for policy dialogue on issues of common interest in higher education. The first policy dialogue was held in Brussels (15/03/2016) to discuss practical ways of strengthening cooperation in higher education and to engage in an exchange of best practice, policy review and knowledge building and sharing. A second policy dialogue should be taking place in the Republic of Korea at a date to be determined. 

On the practical level, over recent years, both sides have seen the practical value of cooperation and exchange, especially through Erasmus + and the co-funded Industrialised Countries Instrument – Education Cooperation Programme (ICI-ECP). These have helped develop joint degrees, partnerships and mobility programmes that have enhanced academic exchanges and prepared students for the increasingly globalised and competitive labour market. 

In the Republic of Korea, there are 4 Jean Monnet Centres of Excellence, which act as focal points of competence and knowledge on European Union subjects, in the following Universities: 

• Hankuk University of Foreign Studies (also has Jean Monnet Chair)
• Seoul National University 
• Yonsei University 
• Pusan National University (also has Jean Monnet Chair)

Moreover, there exists one EU Centre at the Korea University: http://www.ku-kiep-sbs.org

Other schemes include: 

International Credit Mobility (Student mobility between Programme and non-EU countries): 

Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees (EMJMD): 

Joint Doctoral Programmes 

Research Fellowship Programme — Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions   

Jean-Monnet Programmes for teaching and research in the field of European studies  

Culture 

Recognising the importance of culture in Foreign Policy, in 2016, the EU adopted a 'Strategy for international cultural relations' aiming at encouraging cultural cooperation between the EU and its partner countries and promoting a global order based on peace, the rule of law, freedom of expression, mutual understanding and respect for fundamental values. 

Together with the Embassies of the Member States and their cultural institutes in the Republic of Korea, the European Union provides access to a wide range of European creativity by working closely with local partners in the field of culture. 

Bilaterally, the EU and the Republic of Korea cooperate on cultural issues through a Protocol on cultural cooperation under the EU-Republic of Korea Free Trade Agreement, signed in 2010. Particular emphasis is given to the audio-visual sector, granting preferential treatment for market access for co-production and the promotion of audio-visual works of the EU and the Republic of Korea through film festivals and similar initiatives. 

The EU and South Korea have a long standing cooperation in the field of science and technology. The Agreement on the Scientific and Technological Cooperation between the EU and South Korea was signed in 2006 and entered into force in 2007. In addition, the Agreement for Cooperation between Euratom and South Korea in the field of fusion energy research has been in force since 2006.

The EU-Korea Joint Science & Technology Cooperation Committee (JSTCC) takes place biennially.  The 8th edition (and the 1st Joint Committee meeting under Association Agreement) was held in Seoul on 7 March 2025. The two sides exchanged views on their latest science and technology policies, key thematic areas, such as health, artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, and carbon neutrality, and other Horizon Europe programmes, including the ERC, MSCA, EIC, and JRC.

Horizon Europe Association since 2025

As of 1 January 2025, the Republic of Korea joined Horizon Europe, the EU's research and innovation programme, as the first Associated Country in Asia. This association opens new opportunities for researchers and unlocks potential for collaboration. The Agreement was officially signed on July 17, 2025.

The Association agreement aims to foster joint research in fields such as health, digital transformation, and technological innovations for carbon neutrality. It is also designed to strengthen the geopolitical alliance between the EU and the Republic of Korea by fostering deeper cooperation in science, research, and innovationn. This association agreement with Korea strengthens the EU’s geopolitical alliance with like-minded countries. 

The association allows Korean researchers to participate in Pillar II of Horizon Europe, which focuses on "Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness." Under this pillar, Korean researchers and organisations can join and lead international research consortia on terms similar to those of EU Member States.

Background:

Horizon Europe, with a budget of €93.5 billion for 2021-27, is the EU's key funding programme for research and innovation. It tackles climate change, supports the UN's Sustainable Development Goals and boosts the EU's competitiveness and growth. Pillar II, the largest collaborative part with a budget of €52.4 billion, to which Korean researchers have access on equal terms now, focuses on shared global challenges such as climate, energy, digital economy and health.

Other pillars, including Excellent Science and Innovative Europe, along with the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions for doctoral education, postdoctoral training and collaborative research, remain open to Korean organisations and researchers.

As of end 2025, 22 countries are associated, either based on their membership of the European Economic Area (EEA); or as acceding countries, candidate countries and potential candidates; as European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) countries; or as other third countries and territories that fulfil a set of criteria related to their economic, political and research and innovation systems.

Digital Partnership 

Since 2022 the EU and the Republic of Korea have also entered into a Digital Partnership. 

The Digital Partnership provides an overarching framework for advanced cooperation across the full spectrum of digital issues including infrastructures, skills, digital transformation of businesses, and digitalisation of public services, as well as digital economy and trade. It intends to strengthen consumer and business trust by respecting a high level of privacy and security. 

Both sides have identified a set of joint actions for 11 priority areas to implement the Partnerships, including 

• Collaborative Research
• Semiconductors
• High Performance Computing and Quantum Technologies
• Cybersecurity and trust
• Beyond 5G/6G
• Skille / Mobility
• Artificial Intelligence
• Platform Governance
• Data and data spaces
• Digital Identities
• Digital Trade 

The third meeting of the Digital Partnership Council was held on 28 November 2025 in Seoul, both sides issuing a Joint Statement after the meeting.

At that occasion both sides took stock of the progress since the second EU-ROK Digital Partnership Council in Brussels (24 March 2024) and recognised that the Digital Partnership has brought important outcomes in various digital fields. Building on this success, both sides agreed that the Digital Partnership will be further deepened and to involve stakeholders in its implementation to foster industry cooperation.

Both reaffirmed the central role of the Digital Partnership in advancing cooperation in digital emerging technologies which will unlock mutual benefits for their economies. The Digital Partnership is crucial in boosting competitiveness, innovation and resilience in emerging technologies through advanced cooperation in research and innovation. It also enhances economic security by promoting resilience in digital critical technologies.

The EU Partnership Instrument (PI) for cooperation with countries that are not members of the EU aims to advance and promote the European Union and issues of mutual interests. It aims to support measures that respond in an effective and flexible manner to objectives arising from the Union's bilateral, regional or multilateral relationships with non-EU countries and address challenges of global concern and ensure an adequate follow-up to decisions taken at a multilateral level. 

Since 2014, a number of PI projects in Korea have emerged as a direct result of the collaboration between the EU Delegation to the Republic of Korea and EU countries with Korean public authorities, civil society organisations, business promotion agencies, academia and more. 

Among the key ongoing PI projects are:

• EU-RoK IP Action (https://internationalipcooperation.eu/en/rokipa ) on intellectual property
• the EU-Korea Green Partnership Programme (https://capacity4dev.europa.eu/projects/eu-korea-green-partnership-project_en  )
• the EU business hub (https://korea.eubusinesshub.eu/about-programme-0  )
• EU-Republic of Korea (ROK) Aviation Partnership Project (https://www.easa.europa.eu/en/domains/international-cooperation/technical-cooperation-projects/eu-republic-korea-rok-aviation-0 )
• EU-Asia Competition Cooperation ( https://competitioncooperation.eu/about-the-project/ )