• Korea Trade Review
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.207-220
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• 2019

In the context of export-oriented growth strategy, Korea has promoted the conclusion of FTAs and 16 FTAs have entered into force or concluded so far. Despite of these efforts, the expansion of the global value chain (GVC) has resulted in fragmentation of production processes and international companies have been struggling to meet the criteria for determining the rule of origin. In order to overcome these difficulties, some foreign FTAs have been introducing cross-cumulation of origin. In this paper, we try to examine empirically whether the easing of the rules of origin using cross-cumulation contributes to the increase in actual value-added exports. we quantify the effects of cross-cumulation included in the EU-Vietnam FTA on Korean exports of the textile through a gravity model using the concept of value-added export. Based on the analysis results, the proportion of value-added exports in Vietnam increased by adoption of cross-cumulation of origin, which consequently resulted into an increase in total exports. This paper tries to draw several implications for the rules of origin in Korea's FTAs including cross-cumulation considering the export value chain of Korea.

• Journal of Arbitration Studies
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.95-119
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• 2020

Securing a stable supply chain is becoming a significant concern among countries as the global uncertainty rises with the expansion of global protectionism and the result of what the COVID-19 pandemic has brought around the world. This study has investigated dispute cases between customs authority and trade corporations based on the KOREA-ASEAN FTA and suggested the following implications and improvements: Firstly, the extent (varieties) of the proof document on cumulation and its form should be stipulated and provided through consultation between customs from each contracting party. Secondly, it ought to be prescribed as an obligation so that producers located in the third country can cooperate in providing documents for certification of origin. The duty to provide such documentary evidence should also be specified when making EX-IM contracts. Lastly, origin verification provisions regarding cases to which cumulation is applied have to be complemented so that the verification period's extension can be applied and approved. One can expect that the abovementioned responses on cumulation will enhance the availability of KOREA-ASEAN FTA.

• Korea Trade Review
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.181-200
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• 2020

The Korea-Canada FTA and the EVTA have adopted cross-cumulation clauses in their rules of origin, aiming at the enhancement of the value chains among the FTA parties. In fact, intricate rules of origin are often considered as the major cause that discourages the utilization of the agreement for the exporting firms. From this perspective, the correct understanding of cross-cumulation clauses in FTAs is an urgent mission for the Korean exporters as well, and the EVTA, which has recently introduced the cross-cumulation method in a linkage with the Korea-EU FTA provides the timely motivation. This paper first analyzes the Korea-Canada FTA of 2015 as for the case study, because this is a unique trade agreement for Korea that has already adopted the cross-cumulation clauses. It is concluded that the clause is rather vague, particularly in certifying the origins of the intermediate goods from the territory of an authorized third party. From this perspective, the recently-ratified EVTA is particularly important and meaningful with its clearer explanations for the utilization of the privileged rules of origin. The paper finalizes the study by making policy suggestions to the stakeholders, expecting more future FTAs to come equipped with similar cumulative rules of origin, and implies the possibility of the modification of the current clauses in the FTA with Canada.

• Korea Trade Review
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.199-214
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• 2022

This study aims to quantify the value of origin among CPTPP and Korea, under the assumption that the 'cumulation' clause has large economic effects in multilateral FTAs and increase the possibility of improving FTA utilization. Analysing the relationship between value-added exports and FTA utilization rate, there is a positive correlation between the two variables, and the cumulation of multilateral production of CPTPP is expected to increase Korea's value-added exports. In the GTAP-VA model, the target of cumulation is calculated as 'Domestic Value Added', and all value-added of CPTPP are cumulated in the form of value added exports of exporting country. When Korea participates in CPTPP, it is possible to cumulate additional 6.3~9.6% value added, and the agreements with low FTA export utilization rates such as New Zealand, ASEAN would have greater economic effects of cumulation. For the successful implementation of CPTPP in Korea, it is necessary to develop a new origin verification system that enables multilateral value-added cumulation. It is time to seek cooperation with countries currently participating in CPTPP to prove the value added inherent in CPTPP-originating products.

• Korea Trade Review
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.109-130
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• 2018

The cumulative standard is one of the criteria determining the origin of imported goods and is a provision that allows non-origin materials to be treated as origin goods when satisfying certain conditions. Regarding the Korea-Canada FTA, new cumulative standards were applied concerning cross accumulation of automobile products. It would benefit U.S. originating intermediate goods of HS code chapter 84, 85, 87, and 94 obtained into HS code heading from 8701 into 8706. We examine the effectiveness of crossover cumulative standards through the change in the import values of 84, 85, 87, 94, which are target items for cross cumulation. Only items designated for automobile parts were selected and analyzed. From the estimation results, significant changes appeared in 20 of the 35 items. It was found that the import amount increased significantly as of January 2015 or the rate of change in trend increases more than before. In addition, the estimation results show that Korean auto companies utilizing the cumulative standards through increased imports of auto parts form the U.S.

• Korea Trade Review
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.89-111
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• 2016

The Mega-FTA is intended for emerging economies, including developed economies, to expand economies of scale in a single market. The Bilateral FTA shall take into account the relevant industries and the inter-country related industries to adjust the origin standard and preferential tariff rates. Therefore, certain competitive industries can expect foreign investment and re-investment in the domestic market as well as expansion of the market in the region. However, the mega-FTA should expand the size of the economy under the same preferential tax rates for many Partner countries. The Mega-FTA can maximize the effectiveness of the agreement by making use of the competitive advantages of the participating countries. In the mega-FTA, Cumulative Criteria should be appropriately used as a supplemental standard of origin. The Cumulative Criteria is an important FTA utilization factor that determines the success of the mega-FTA. Using FTA, Korea should export locally produced materials using cheaper labor force in FTA partner country. In addition, in order to prepare the Mega-FTA, which allows full cumulation, it is necessary to encourage the overseas transfer of low-cost structure materials processing industry so that the material suppliers can be transferred to the area where production cost is lower and raw material supply is easier.