South Korea’s parliament has ratified a free trade agreement with the European Union, clearing the last hurdle for the deal to take effect in July.
The pact is expected to boost the value of trade in goods between South Korea and the EU to about 100bn euros (£84bn).
The deal will lift most tariffs and trade barriers within the next five years.
South Korea has also signed a free-trade pact with the US.
The ruling Grand National Party (GNP) pushed through the free trade agreement, with the opposition Democratic Party boycotting the vote.
“We expect the deal to create 250,000 jobs, which is the greatest form of welfare for working people, and contribute hugely to their lives by stabilising prices and improving income potentials,” said Grand National Party spokesman Bae Eun-hee.
The Democratic Party boycott was over a dispute about safeguards for farmers and small business.
The European Parliament ratified the free-trade pact in February.
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South Korea backs EU trade deal