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4.5. Korea has been actively participating in major JSI negotiations on e-commerce, investment facilitation, domestic regulation in services, MSMEs, and TESSD, as well as talks on trade and environment, and trade and health. At the same time, the country has also been making constructive contributions to moving the discussions forward through the submission of proposals on key issues.

4.10. As environment-related issues have assumed an increasing importance all across the world, the Trade and Environmental Sustainability Structured Discussions (TESSD) was launched in November 2020 to generate concrete results in relation to environmental sustainability. Along with Australia and Singapore, Korea circulated a joint communication on liberalizing trade in environmental goods and services and exchanging views on trade-related environmental measures.

4.11. Such [Trade and Environmental Sustainability Structured] discussions are expected to enhance the roles of the multilateral trade system and strengthen international cooperation when the trade environment is going through a rapid change due to the accelerating transition towards a digital economy, climate change, and the COVID-19 pandemic.

4.15. [Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation] APEC leaders adopted the "2020 Kuala Lumpur Declaration" , which includes the "APEC Putrajaya Vision 2040," in Malaysia in 2020. This vision includes three key elements - trade and investment liberalization, innovation and digitalization, and inclusive and sustainable growth. Korea is actively participating in discussions on digital economy, inclusiveness, sustainability, and integration of regional economies.

4.17. As one of the G20 countries, Korea is participating in discussions on new trade and investment issues. (...) Korea is also actively engaged in various discussions on the trade and investment agenda to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic at the G20 (e.g. international cooperation, a level playing field, and environmental sustainability).

4.24. Korea is also expected to help build trade capacity in developing countries in relation to the environment by announcing to provide a total of USD 300 million to the Green Climate Fund (GCF), which is located in Korea, and establishing a trust fund under the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) to strengthen capabilities to respond to climate change and provide assistance to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to changes in the climate.

6.4. As part of such effort, Korea will continue to faithfully implement its international obligations in compliance with the WTO Agreements as one of its members and actively engage in discussions on new trade topics, including trade and health issues, climate and environmental issues as well as the rules of digital trade rules in light of the accelerating pace of the digital transformation of the global economy.

6.6. Going forward, Korea will continue to seek effective domestic markets and sustainable development based on "innovation and inclusive growth" and make constructive contributions as a responsible member of the international community through its contribution to global economic growth with its robust trade activities.

9. (...) Import licensing requirements cover numerous tariff items, and prohibitions are maintained mostly for the protection of public morals, human health, hygiene and sanitation, animal and plant life, environmental conservation, or essential security interests in compliance with domestic legislation requirements or international commitments. (...).

11. Measures involving grants, tax concessions, and low interest loans continued to support production and trade of various agricultural, forestry, fishing, coal mining, renewable energy, the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and manufacturing industries, and to encourage SMEs, innovation, research and development, and environmental protection activities. (...) Furthermore, the 2020 Korean New Deal initiative is to pursue job creation and enhancement of competitiveness of the manufacturing sector by increasing public investment in digital and green energy infrastructure. (...).