Iceland-South Korea relations
Map indicating locations of Iceland and South Korea

Iceland
South Korea

Iceland–South Korea relations are primarily based on cooperation over maritime issues, such as whaling and bottom trawling, and on bilateral trade in technology and fish products. Diplomatic relations between Iceland and the Republic of Korea were established on October 10, 1962 according to the Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs.[1] The Icelandic Ministry for Foreign Affairs gives the date as 19 April 1982. Iceland's Embassy in Beijing is accredited to South Korea, and Iceland also has two honorary consulates in Seoul.[2] South Korea's embassy in Oslo, Norway is accredited to Iceland, and South Korea has an honorary consulate in Reykjavík.

Relations

South Korea's foreign minister Choi Sung-hong visited Iceland in 2002 to discuss increased bilateral cooperation between the two countries.[3] Korea and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) signed a Free Trade Agreement on December 15, 2005. The agreement eliminated all EFTA tariffs on Korean goods, with plans to phase out Korean tariffs on EFTA goods.[4] In May 2008, the two countries signed an agreement on double taxation.[5][6]

Trade

In 2006, South Korean exports to Iceland totaled US$ 36,000,000, mainly automobiles and tires, while Iceland's exports to South Korea totaled US$ 13,000,000, mainly marine products and fur.[1] Progress in fish processing technology and transport has opened up new possibilities for increased trade with Korea.[7]

Whaling activities and cooperation

Iceland have been involved in controversy over their continued whaling activity.[8] In the past, South Korea has supported Iceland's whaling position.[9][10] Iceland hunts whales for "scientific research", although they have passed tests of authenticity for scientific research projects set by the International Whaling Commission.[11]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Republic of Iceland". Republic of Korea - Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Retrieved 2009-07-11.
  2. ↑ "Embassy of Iceland - Beijing, China". Icelandic Ministry for Foreign Affairs. Retrieved 2009-07-11.
  3. ↑ "South Korean foreign minister visits Iceland, meets counterpart". Financial Times Ltd. September 27, 2002. Retrieved 2009-07-11.
  4. ↑ "Korea-European Free Trade Association(EFTA) FTA". Korea.net. Retrieved 2009-07-11.
  5. ↑ "South Korea, Iceland sign agreement on double taxation". China View. May 15, 2008. Retrieved 2009-07-11.
  6. ↑ "Convention signed between Iceland and South Korea". IceNews – Daily News. May 27, 2008. Retrieved 2009-07-11.
  7. ↑ "Liberal trade regime in Iceland contributes to increased trade and strong growth". World Trade Organization. Retrieved 2009-07-11.
  8. ↑ Kieran Mulvaney (17 July 2003). The whaling season. ISBN 1-55963-978-4.
  9. ↑ James N. Rosenau, Ernst Otto Czempiel (1992). Title Governance without government: order and change in world politics. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0-521-40578-5.
  10. ↑ Oran R. Young (1996). The International Political Economy And International Institutions. E. Elgar Pub. Co. ISBN 1-85898-156-5.
  11. ↑ "Questions and answers to Iceland's decision to leave the International Whaling Commission". Ministry of Fisheries, Iceland. Retrieved 2009-07-11.
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