President Park Geun-hye called Thursday for "fair and transparent" trade, expressing concerns that a global economic slowdown is fueling a move toward nontariff barriers and unfair trade practices.
During an international forum on trade remedies, Park also stressed that Korea will remain a staunch supporter of free and open trade.
President Park Geun-hye (Yonhap)
"As the volume of trade has recently contracted due to a global economic slump, the temptation has also been increasing for nontariff barriers and unfair trade," Park said in her video message to the Seoul International Forum on Trade Remedies 2016 in Seoul.
"Particularly at this juncture, I believe your role is of paramount importance in establishing a fair and transparent trade order."
Pointing to the world's trade environment being reshaped by the emergence of new trade methods, such as a digitalized trade platform, Park also stressed the importance of a "proactive response" to the new trend.
The single-day forum was hosted by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, and the Korea Trade Commission. It was held under the main theme of the "New Challenges for Trade Remedy Systems amid the Changing Global Trade Environment." (Yonhap)