SEOUL, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- South Korea will seek to expand global free trade network next year, continuing its drive to strike free trade deals with the world's major economies, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said Thursday.

    The country will make best use of the so-called comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA) with India, slated to take effect next year, the ministry said.

    It will also continue pushing for the ratification of free trade pacts it signed with the European Union and the United States, respectively, it added.

    Both Seoul and Washington are awaiting legislative approval for the free trade deal signed in June 2007, as conflicting industrial interests mixed with political implications have long blocked its ratification in both countries.

    South Korea will launch a research to be conducted jointly by the industrial, governmental and academic sectors on feasibility of free trade deal among South Korea, China and Japan, three regional economic powerhouses, the ministry said.

    Seoul and Tokyo recently held working-level bilateral free trade talks after years of hiatus, but failed to pin down the exact date to resume negotiations.

    Asia's fourth biggest economy will also remain committed to the successful conclusion of the World Trade Organization's Doha Development Agenda Negotiations (DDA), according to the ministry.

    Currently, South Korea has free trade agreements with Chile, Singapore and the European Free Trade Association, as well as a similar pact with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and is seeking similar trade deals with Australia, Canada, and Mexico.

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