Bangkok: South Korea and Thailand are set to commence their fifth round of negotiations for a bilateral economic partnership agreement (EPA) as both countries aim to enhance their trade and investment relationships, according to Seoul's industry ministry. According to Yonhap News Agency, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced that this latest round of EPA talks will take place over four days in Bangkok. The discussions will focus on advancing cooperation in 13 sectors, which include goods, services, and investment, along with promoting sustainable development. An EPA seeks to create a beneficial trade network between partner nations that goes beyond simple market access, although it has a narrower scope compared to a traditional free trade agreement. Roh Keon-ki, deputy minister for trade negotiations at the ministry, emphasized the importance of swiftly finalizing an EPA with Thailand, recognized as the second-largest economy within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and a key market for expansion on various economic issues. Roh further highlighted that bilateral trade agreements act as a robust safety measure for South Korea's exports in the rapidly evolving global trade environment, particularly in light of U.S. tariffs.