Between 24 and 27 September the EU and Kerea held intensive high level negotiations to find a mutually agreed solution to the long-standing Korean unfair shipbuilding practices. The EU delegation was headed by Mr. M. P. Carl, Trade Director General of the European Commission and the Korean delegation by Mr. Kim Chil-du, Korean Vice-Minister for Trade, Industry and Energy.

　

Despite the numerous effort made by the EU delegation to reach a mutually acceptable compromise solution, the Korean delegation today rejected all the proposals put forward by the EU until then, insisting on the lack of support of the Kerean industry for such an agreement.

　

The European Commission will now report to the EU Council of Minister on 30 September 2002.