Finance minister vows to expand trade network, review possible CPTPP membership

South Korea's finance ministry pledged to strengthen the nation's multilateral trade network, expressing plans to gather public opinion on potential membership in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). During an external economic affairs meeting with relevant ministers, Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol highlighted the importance of strengthening ties with like-minded countries to stabilize supply chains.

Koo emphasized that the government would carefully evaluate the benefits and impacts of CPTPP membership on national interests and people's livelihoods. Should South Korea decide to join the CPTPP in the future, Koo stated that the government would proactively prepare supplementary measures to address potential impacts on key sectors, particularly agriculture and fisheries.

The ministry also discussed strategies to enhance economic cooperation with emerging partners through the upcoming summit between South Korea and Central Asian nations, as well as an economic ministerial meeting with African countries scheduled for the following month.