In South Korea Free Trade Debate, Kaesong Should Be a Non-Issue

Some critics of the proposed South Korea–U.S. Free Trade Agreement (KORUS) have expressed concerns about imports from North Korea, specifically goods originating from the Kaesong Industrial Region. This should be a non-issue.

The chart below compares how imports from North Korea are treated today and how they will be treated if KORUS is approved.

With or without KORUS, the U.S. government will continue to control imports from Kaesong and the rest of North Korea.