South Korean President Moon Jae-in, right, speaks during a bilateral meeting with Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison at Parliament House, Canberra, on Dec. 13, 2021. (Lukas Coch/Pool Photo via AP)

       SEOUL (Kyodo) -- South Korean finance minister Hong Nam Ki said Monday the country's government will begin the process to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade deal, adding it to a growing list of applicants that includes China and Taiwan.

       Hong, who doubles as deputy prime minister, made the remark at a meeting of Cabinet ministers on external economic affairs. The government is expected to submit the application after reporting the move to the nation's parliament, among other steps.

       Hong said given the situation in which China and Taiwan have applied for membership, it "has become difficult to keep the matter to discussions within government offices."

       To join the trade deal, an applicant needs the approval of all 11 existing members -- Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam.

       In December last year, President Moon Jae In expressed willingness to consider joining the pact, formally known as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership. South Korea is already a member of the 15-nation Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership trade agreement, which will take effect on Jan. 1.

       China and Taiwan applied for TPP membership in September, while Britain did so in February.

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