Non-Trivial Barriers? Partners’ Perspectives on NTBs in Korea

The magnitude and intensity of non-tariff barriers (NTBs) in Korea has remained almost terra incognita for researchers. This paper investigates the gravity of the problems related to NTBs in Korea by surveying the assessments of Korea’s trading partners on the issue. Based on the field data collected from six trading partners of Korea, we find that the Korean government has applied NTBs to protect specific sectors such as automobiles, animal-based products, and plants. Moreover, the potential protective intention of the Korean government towards other sectors like organic food, alcoholic products, pharmaceutical products, and service sectors including banking, insurance, telecommunication, and media is well noted, which has not been discussed in previous studies. The Korean government needs to consider how to eliminate de facto trade obstacles by simplifying complex import application procedures, harmonizing standards with international systems, and pursuing trade liberalization through continued domestic reforms. The transparency of the distributive system, licensing, and administrative measures still needs to be improved. As the procedural hurdles of agricultural trade draw unremitting attention of Korea’s trading partners, quarantine restrictions due to ambiguous long import application procedures, fumigation requirements, and residual restrictions also need to be based on global norms.