Preferential relations between MERCOSUR and Korea: perspectives of an idea under construction

the article aims at analyzing the scenario that is brought about by the states？ decision to begin the feasibility studies for the negotiation of a free trade agreement between the republic of korea and mercosur. some of the complementarities that may exist between both countries are analyzed and we propose an enrichment of the agenda by means of the inclusion of other topics that may generate trust and create a level of dialogue that will strengthen the relation in general. that is to say, the inclusion of political, social and cultural elements -similar experiences in the democratic construction and the legacy of military governments, to name a few- that may help create a net of links that will strengthen the dialogue giving it further sustainability in case differences in the negotiations regarding the free trade issue may arise. then, the article points out that the existence of a sizeable community of korean origin in the mercosur countries should be better capitalized. taking all these elements into consideration, the relation will be very fruitful and important, at least for the mercosur countries, in the development of a different agenda for their foreign policy.