Trade Officials To Discuss Korean Shipbuilding Disputes

European Union and South Korean trade officials will meet next week in Seoul to resolve a dispute over alleged shipbuilding subsidies by Korean yards.

"Working-level officials from the EU and Korea will discuss the hottest trade issue between the two parties from May 28-30 in Seoul," said Seoul's Commerce Ministry in a statement.

Earlier in the month, European Trade Commissioner Pascal Lamy met South Korean Commerce Minister Hwang Doo-Yun to discuss the EU executive's threat to start a WTO (World Trade Organization) dispute against Seoul unless a deal could be reached by June 30.

The EU argues that South Korea has granted substantial subsidies to its shipyards, contravening the WTO's 1994 Subsidies Agreement. South Korean shipbuilders deny EU charges that they benefit from illegal subsidies.