South Korea approves India deal

India hopes the pact will boost trade

South Korea has ratified a free trade deal with India that will give the two Asian countries much greater access to each other's markets.

The pact, known as the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, was initially signed in August.

Under the terms of the deal, import duties between the two parties will be reduced or eliminated.

India, where parliamentary approval is not needed for trade agreements, had already signed off the deal.

It is due to be implemented in January.

Last month, South Korea signed a trade pact with the EU to remove trade tariffs.