ASEAN and the Republic of Korea are negotiating the ASEAN–Korea Free Trade Area Upgrade Protocol to establish high-standard commitments that enhance digital trade, investment and digital economy cooperation.
ASEAN formed 11 working groups for the negotiations. The Information Technology and Cyber Security Department, Ministry of Digital Development and Communications, serves as Myanmar’s lead agency in the Working Group on Digital Economy (WGDE), which negotiates the protocol’s Digital Economy Chapter. Negotiations began in June 2026.
The first WGDE meeting took place in Seoul, Republic of Korea, from 8 to 12 June 2026. Myanmar’s delegation leader, Deputy Director General Daw Nwe Ni Soe Yin of the Information Technology and Cyber Security Department, attended and discussed Myanmar’s positions and views. Working-group leaders from ASEAN member states, representatives of the Republic of Korea and representatives of the ASEAN Secretariat participated.
