(LEAD) S. Korea to consider bilateral free trade pact with Britain: foreign minister

(ATTN: UPDATES with ministry official's remarks in last para)

SEOUL, June 24 (Yonhap) -- South Korea will consider a bilateral free trade deal with Britain in response to its exit from the European Union, Seoul's top diplomat said Friday.

Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se told lawmakers during a session of the parliamentary foreign affairs and unification committee that his ministry, in coordination with the trade ministry, will draw up "various measures," including a South Korea-Britain free trade agreement, after Britons opted to leave the EU in a landmark referendum Thursday.

"Some experts at home say that the risks (posed by Brexit) are relatively low for us, because the share of our trade with Britain is not large compared to our trade with the U.S.," he said in response to a lawmaker's remark that South Korea should quickly sign a bilateral free trade pact with Britain.

Yun acknowledged, however, that South Korea is not immune to an issue with global repercussions and will carry out a detailed study of its impact over the two years it will take to finalize Britain's departure from the EU.

"We will decide what to do after carrying out an in-depth analysis through talks with the EU or relevant organizations," he said.

South Korea and the EU have a free trade agreement that went into effect in 2011. Last year, bilateral trade stood at US$105.3 billion.

South Korea respects the choice of the British people and will deepen its partnerships with both Britain and the EU to ensure the decision doesn't affect Seoul's diplomatic ties with Europe, a ministry official said.

hague@yna.co.kr
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