Trade chiefs of S. Korea, UAE agree on early implementation of bilateral CEPA | Yonhap News Agency

## Summary
OK SEOUL, April 3 (Yonhap) -- Top trade officials of South Korea and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) agreed Friday on an early implementation of their comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA), Seoul's industry ministry said. South Korea has been facing disruptions in naphtha supplies since the start of the United States' war against Iran, which led to the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz. "The Korea-UAE CEPA, Seoul's first free trade agreement with an oil-producing country in the Middle East, will serve as an important opportunity for the two countries to elevate their economic cooperation," Yeo said in a press release, vowing continued efforts to expand strategic ties with the UAE. South Korean Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo (L) shakes hands with the United Arab Emirates' undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Trade, Fahad Al Gergawi, during the World Trade Organization ministerial conference in Cameroon on March 29, 2026, in this photo provided by Yeo's office. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) nyway@yna.co.kr (END) Related Articles Crude oil supply from UAE en route to S. Korea, UAE agree on early implementation of bilateral CEPA Next Trade chiefs of S.

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SEOUL, April 3 (Yonhap) -- Top trade officials of South Korea and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) agreed Friday on an early implementation of their comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA), Seoul's industry ministry said.
The agreement was made during a virtual meeting between Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo and his UAE counterpart, Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, just a few days after the National Assembly ratified the trade pact, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources. The bilateral deal will take effect on May 1.
Under the CEPA, the two countries plan to lift tariffs on more than 90 percent of goods trade over the next 10 years, including Korea's exports of foodstuffs, cosmetics and defense products, and the UAE's exports of crude oil.
It will also help Korea strengthen its energy and resource cooperation with the UAE, which is important in the current times of intensifying global supply chain uncertainties.
In Friday's meeting, Yeo asked the UAE, the largest naphtha supplier to Seoul, to help Seoul secure supplies of the material, while also asking for support to Korean companies exporting to country, the ministry said.
South Korea has been facing disruptions in naphtha supplies since the start of the United States' war against Iran, which led to the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
"The Korea-UAE CEPA, Seoul's first free trade agreement with an oil-producing country in the Middle East, will serve as an important opportunity for the two countries to elevate their economic cooperation," Yeo said in a press release, vowing continued efforts to expand strategic ties with the UAE.
South Korean Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo (L) shakes hands with the United Arab Emirates' undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Trade, Fahad Al Gergawi, during the World Trade Organization ministerial conference in Cameroon on March 29, 2026, in this photo provided by Yeo's office. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
nyway@yna.co.kr
(END)
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Trade chiefs of S. Korea, UAE agree on early implementation of bilateral CEPA

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## Expert Analysis

### Merits
- OK SEOUL, April 3 (Yonhap) -- Top trade officials of South Korea and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) agreed Friday on an early implementation of their comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA), Seoul's industry ministry said.
- It will also help Korea strengthen its energy and resource cooperation with the UAE, which is important in the current times of intensifying global supply chain uncertainties.
- South Korea has been facing disruptions in naphtha supplies since the start of the United States' war against Iran, which led to the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz. "The Korea-UAE CEPA, Seoul's first free trade agreement with an oil-producing country in the Middle East, will serve as an important opportunity for the two countries to elevate their economic cooperation," Yeo said in a press release, vowing continued efforts to expand strategic ties with the UAE.

### Areas for Consideration
- Korea with top priority: presidential aide Keywords #UAE Articles with issue keywords Most Liked Oscar-winning 'KPop Demon Hunters' directors promise 'bigger,' more 'eventful' sequel Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' (LEAD) BTS scores 7th No. 1 album on Billboard 200 with 'Arirang' Liberal ex-prime minister to declare mayoral bid in conservative stronghold (URGENT) BTS earns 7th No. 1 song on the Billboard singles chart with 'Swim' Most Saved Oscar-winning 'KPop Demon Hunters' directors promise 'bigger,' more 'eventful' sequel Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' Liberal ex-prime minister to declare mayoral bid in conservative stronghold (LEAD) S.

### Implications
- The bilateral deal will take effect on May 1.
- It will also help Korea strengthen its energy and resource cooperation with the UAE, which is important in the current times of intensifying global supply chain uncertainties.
- South Korea has been facing disruptions in naphtha supplies since the start of the United States' war against Iran, which led to the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz. "The Korea-UAE CEPA, Seoul's first free trade agreement with an oil-producing country in the Middle East, will serve as an important opportunity for the two countries to elevate their economic cooperation," Yeo said in a press release, vowing continued efforts to expand strategic ties with the UAE.
- Korea with top priority: presidential aide Keywords #UAE Articles with issue keywords Most Liked Oscar-winning 'KPop Demon Hunters' directors promise 'bigger,' more 'eventful' sequel Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' (LEAD) BTS scores 7th No. 1 album on Billboard 200 with 'Arirang' Liberal ex-prime minister to declare mayoral bid in conservative stronghold (URGENT) BTS earns 7th No. 1 song on the Billboard singles chart with 'Swim' Most Saved Oscar-winning 'KPop Demon Hunters' directors promise 'bigger,' more 'eventful' sequel Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' Liberal ex-prime minister to declare mayoral bid in conservative stronghold (LEAD) S.

### Expert Commentary
This article covers korea, uae, trade topics. Notable strengths include discussion of korea. Areas of concern are also raised. Readability: Flesch-Kincaid grade 0.0. Word count: 615.