(LEAD) Lee says CPTPP entry unavoidable; membership during his term unlikely

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SEOUL, Oct. 26 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Jae Myung said Monday that South Korea's entry into the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) would be "unavoidable" despite frustrations among farmers and fishermen.

The president made the remarks during a meeting with representatives from the agricultural, fisheries, forestry and livestock industries, as he sought to address controversies facing the sectors, including CPTPP membership.

Earlier this month, Lee ordered the government not to apply for CPTPP membership this year, pledging to hold sufficient consultations with farmers and fishermen who are opposed to South Korea's entry into the major Indo-Pacific trade bloc.

While CPTPP membership is expected to help boost South Korea's overall exports, the agricultural and fisheries sectors are likely to take a hit from market opening, which would lead to imports of cheaper products.

"You may find it frustrating, but it's unavoidable," Lee said, adding that the government "cannot give it up for the benefit of the country as a whole."

Instead, the government would have to focus on finding complementary measures to implement if it seeks CPTPP membership, the president noted.

He voiced government concerns over whether South Korea would be able to retain its status as a trade power if it runs counter to global trade liberalization, saying, "In the end, it would have no other choice but to decide in line with the broad trend for the future."

Even if Seoul opts for CPTPP membership, the process would take a long time due to potentially prolonged negotiations, he said, adding, "It is highly likely that a final agreement would not be reached during my term."

The president called the agricultural and fisheries sectors national strategic and security industries critical to survival.

"I know that there are worries and concerns over CPTPP ... To be clear, there will be no cases of you sustaining unfair damage," the president said.

Lee highlighted that expanding global export markets is very important for South Korea, which relies on trade, and that securing CPTPP membership would be necessary to "go to the next level," despite opposition.

President Lee Jae Myung speaks during a meeting with representatives from the agricultural, fisheries, forestry and livestock industries at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul on Oct. 26, 2026. (Pool photo) (Yonhap)

(LEAD) Lee orders S. Korea not apply for CPTPP membership this year

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(LEAD) Lee says CPTPP entry unavoidable; membership during his term unlikely

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首尔，10月26日（韩联社）——韩国总统李在明周一表示，尽管农民和渔民感到沮丧，但韩国加入《全面与进步跨太平洋伙伴关系协定》（CPTPP）是“不可避免的”。

总统在与农业、渔业、林业和畜牧业代表会面时发表了上述讲话，他试图解决这些行业面临的争议，包括加入《全面与进步跨太平洋伙伴关系协定》（CPTPP）的问题。

本月初，李明博下令政府今年不要申请加入《全面与进步跨太平洋伙伴关系协定》（CPTPP），并承诺将与反对韩国加入这一主要印太贸易集团的农民和渔民进行充分磋商。

虽然加入 CPTPP 有望帮助提升韩国的整体出口，但市场开放可能会对农业和渔业部门造成打击，导致进口更便宜的产品。

李说：“你可能会觉得很沮丧，但这无法避免。”他还补充说，政府“为了整个国家的利益，不能放弃它”。

总统指出，如果政府寻求加入《全面与进步跨太平洋伙伴关系协定》（CPTPP），则必须集中精力寻找配套措施来实施。

他表达了政府对韩国如果逆全球贸易自由化而行是否能够保持其贸易强国地位的担忧，并表示：“最终，韩国别无选择，只能顺应未来的大趋势做出决定。”

他表示，即使首尔选择加入CPTPP，由于谈判可能旷日持久，这一过程也将耗时很长，并补充说：“在我任期内，极有可能无法达成最终协议。”

总统称农业和渔业是国家战略和安全产业，对生存至关重要。

“我知道大家对《全面与进步跨太平洋伙伴关系协定》（CPTPP）存在担忧和顾虑……需要明确的是，你们不会遭受任何不公平的损害，”总统说。

李强调，对于依赖贸易的韩国而言，扩大全球出口市场非常重要，尽管遭到反对，但获得 CPTPP 会员资格对于“迈向下一个阶段”是必要的。

2026年10月26日，韩国总统李在明在首尔青瓦台会见农业、渔业、林业和畜牧业代表时发表讲话。（联社照片）（韩联社）

（导语）李明博下令韩国今年不得申请加入《全面与进步跨太平洋伙伴关系协定》（CPTPP）

李将军下令重启关于加入《全面与进步跨太平洋伙伴关系协定》（CPTPP）可能性的磋商。

（主旨）李表示加入CPTPP不可避免；但不太可能在他任期内加入。