South Korea says it is focused on improving its ties with ASEAN member states,... ahead of their special summit set to take place at the end of next month.<br />As part of those efforts,… Seoul hopes to clinch more separate free trade agreements within the regional bloc.<br />“Currently, we are working to conclude FTA talks with the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia. Our goal is to sign a deal before the special summit in November."<br />The presidential office says... such individual deals, on top of the broader free trade deal with ASEAN,... will help bolster economic ties,... amid growing trade protectionism worldwide. <br />If the deals are struck,… it would give South Korea five bilateral FTA partners that are ASEAN members,... including Vietnam and Singapore. <br />
