韓国、ＴＰＰ加入へ名乗り　副首相「手続き開始」

　【ソウル時事】韓国の洪楠基・副首相兼企画財政相は１３日、経済関連閣僚会議を開催し、環太平洋連携協定（ＴＰＰ）への加入申請に向けて、「世論集約と社会的議論に着手し、関連手続きを開始する」と明らかにした。今後政府内での手続きなどを進め、正式に加入を申請するとみられる。（2021/12/13-11:25）

South Korea will begin procedures needed for its bid to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade agreement, the country's economy and finance minister, Hong Nam-ki, said Monday.
   Seoul will launch work to gain consensus among the public and necessary discussions about the country applying for TPP membership, Hong, also deputy prime minister, said at a meeting of relevant ministers.
   The South Korean government is expected to make an official bid after advancing necessary internal procedures.
   Seoul, out of consideration for Beijing, had previously distanced itself from the TPP, which it saw as a regime aimed at countering China.
   In December 2020, however, South Korean President Moon Jae-in showed for the first time his nation's plan to consider joining the TPP, whose members include Japan. In September this year, China and Taiwan applied to become TPP members, pushing South Korea to accelerate its preparations for seeking membership of the trade pact.