South korea says unclear if fta is cause of trade imbalance #

It seems like you're referring to a news article or report about South Korea's stance on the trade imbalance between South Korea and another country, possibly the United States.

According to the article, South Korea is saying that it's unclear whether the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two countries is the cause of the trade imbalance. This suggests that South Korea is acknowledging that there is a trade imbalance, but is not directly attributing it to the FTA.

The FTA, also known as the Korea-US Free Trade Agreement (KORUS), was signed in 2011 and aimed to reduce tariffs and other trade barriers between the two countries. However, since its implementation, there have been concerns about the impact of the agreement on the trade balance, with some arguing that it has led to a surge in imports from the US and a decline in Korean exports.

South Korea's statement may be an attempt to downplay the role of the FTA in the trade imbalance, or to suggest that other factors, such as changes in global trade patterns or domestic economic conditions, may be more significant contributors to the imbalance.

It's worth noting that the trade imbalance between South Korea and the US has been a contentious issue in recent years, with the US accusing South Korea of not doing enough to address the imbalance. South Korea has responded by pointing to the need for the US to address its own trade policies and practices, as well as the impact of global economic trends on trade balances.

Overall, the article suggests that the issue of the trade imbalance between South Korea and the US remains a complex and contentious one, with both sides having different perspectives on the causes and solutions.