49. The representative of Korea said, as a preliminary reaction, that the proposal to separate the product coverage from the other issues under discussion seemed a practical one, which could contribute to moving the discussion forward. Basically, his delegation was in favour of a system that was simple and voluntary in nature. Conversely, this meant that it could not agree to a system that demanded protection of geographical indications of those Members which did not wish to participate in the multilateral system of registration. As far as product coverage was concerned, he reiterated his opposition to any attempt to extend product coverage, as it definitely went against the present mandate of Article 23.4.
