1. KORUS FTA will incapacitate the Special Safe Guard that is allowed under WTO. The Agricultural Safe Guard provided in the KORUS FTA is applicable to a fewer number of products and has much more limits.

2. KORUS FTA will eliminate the average 55 percent duty being applied on imported products to protect the domestic agriculture that WTO allowed Korea to apply.

3. KORUS FTA will mean that the U.S. style food safety system will be transplanted into Korea. BSE related measures are also subject to ISD. KORUS FTA will also bring Korea into the U.S. system for GMO. The United States was able to realize the Understanding on Agricultural Biotechnology in April 2007. The MOU states that the Korean regulations on biotechnology labeling must be one that is predictable by the United States (Article 3).

4. Rice is also subject to risk. According to Wikileakis, the cable from the U.S. Embassy stated that Minister Jong Hoon Kim had promised that the rice issue can be revisited when Korea liberalizes the rice market.

5. There is no provision in the KORS FTA that can address the enormous amount of agricultural support being provided by the United States.

6. The resolution to all these problem s is not to carry forward with the KORUS FTA.

FTA Railroading Means Inevitable Crisis for the GNP [English: BYK]

http://english.khan.co.kr/khan_art_view.html?artid=201111221235477&code=790101

Summary: The GNP faces a crisis. Despite all-out resistance from opposition parties, it is preparing, together with the government, to railroad the Korea-US Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA) ratification bill on November 24. National Assembly speaker Park Hee-tae is saying that "the time for resolve has come," while Hong Joon-pyo has started issuing threats that "delaying ratification any longer will mean wipeout." Though the GNP is asserting that railroading the bill is inevitable on the grounds that "there is nothing more to be done," the fact is that the party has so far done nothing. The investor-state dispute (ISD) settlement system, a leading bone of contention regarding the FTA, shows that while the opposition has consistently called for abolition or amendment of the system, the GNP merely argued that this was impossible until President Lee Myung-bak visited the National Assembly and argued that the system could be renegotiated within three months of the FTA coming into effect. This proves that the ruling party cares only about the president's state of mind when it comes to the FTA, rather than approaching the issue independently in terms of the national interest. If the GNP really feels the seriousness of the crisis, it must start by abandoning its plans to railroad the KORUS FTA. The GNP, too, knows how great the impact of ratifying the FTA will be.

Will KORUS FTA be ratified on November 24th? GNP places more weight on ratification in December [Korean: BYK]

http://news.naver.com/main/read.nhn?mode=LSD&mid=sec&sid1=100&oid=003&aid=0004202815

Summary: There is a consensus within GNP that they need to ratify the KORUS FTA during this session but there is a difference on when it should push forward with the ratification. Some of the strong line party members are insisting that they should push forward on November 24^th. However, the majority of the party members that are trying to negotiate the bill are leaning towards December. Floor Leader Hwang, Woo Yeo and Chairman Kyung Pil Nam of the Foreign Affairs and Trade Committee are of the position that the KORUS FTA should be dealt with in December. In this case, it could be dealt on December 2^nd or December 9^th, which is the last day of this session.

Assembly speaker says time has come to 'make decision' on U.S. FTA [English, CSY]

http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/business/2011/11/21/0502000000AEN20111121002600315.HTML

Summary: Parliamentary Speaker Park Hee-tae said Monday that the time has come to "make a decision" on the free trade deal with the United States, indicating that he could step in to put the much-debated, long-pending bill to a floor vote.__"I don't have any other arbitration plan and can't think of one if there is any. I don't have anything left," Park told reporters on his way to the National Assembly. "It is time to make a decision."____ The ruling Grand National Party (GNP) is determined to override opposition parties' objections to passing the trade pact after rounds of talks with the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) over a key clause. The bill currently sits in the parliamentary trade committee, awaiting a vote to be sent to the plenary session.

FTA Railroading Plan is a Declaration of War Against the People [English, CSY]

http://english.khan.co.kr/khan_art_view.html?artid=201111181328527&code=710100

Summary: The Grand National Party's general meeting of lawmakers yesterday seemed like a military rally before railroading the bill to ratify the KORUS FTA.___ "We have done everything (the opposition) asked," said GNP leader Hong Joon-pyo in a declaration of fighting spirit. "There can be no more delays." Some called for further negotiation, but had their voices drowned out by those in favor of railroading.___ Earlier, the GNP replaced those of its lawmakers on the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs, Trade and Unification Committee that were in favor of negotiations. The GNP's dependence on railroading alone, with no attempt to remove the noxious articles in the FTA, deserves criticism.___ The GNP is using Lee Myung-bak's visit to the National Assembly and promise to "hold further discussions regarding the investor-state dispute settlement system after the FTA comes into effect," and the Democratic Party's rejection of this, as a pretext for railroading the bill.

Recent Poll Results on Korea-US FTA [English, CSY]

http://www.arirang.co.kr/News/News_View.asp?nseq=122830&code=Ne2&category=2

Full text: The controversy over the trade pact continues at Korea's National Assembly, and economics professors and everyday citizens had a chance to weigh in on the trade pact in a recent poll.__Korea's daily newspaper Munwha Ilbo, surveyed 50 economics professors last Thursday and Friday, and 82 percent of respondents said the National Assembly should immediately ratify the Korea-US FTA.__Those in favor said Korea's national interests would be boosted from increased exports and an expanded market.__Fourteen-percent of the professors surveyed said they favored passage of the bill, but ONLY if the US confirms that a renegotiation over the Investor-State Dispute Settlement, or ISD clause, is possible.__The main opposition Democratic Party has claimed that the trade pact, namely the ISD clause, unfairly favors the US, and it has been blocking passage of the bill, calling for a renegotiation of the provision.__Of the economics professors polled, some 60 percent said the ruling GNP should push the bill through the National Assembly, even if the opposition parties continue to try and derail the process.__Meanwhile, greater number of Korea's general population seems to be more opposed to the ratification of the Korea-US trade bill.___ According to a joint poll of one-thousand people nationwide conducted last Friday and Saturday by Maeil Business Newspaper, Maeil Business Network, and Hangil Research, 48.3 percent of respondents are positive about ratification of the trade pact, while 33.seven percent are opposed to it.__The results stand in contrast to the poll of economic professors in that a higher number of Korean citizens opposed the deal.

South Korean free-trade a done deal by year's end [English, CSY]

AS the pace of Asia-Pacific economic integration steps up, Australia is about to conclude a crucial free-trade agreement with its third-largest export buyer, South Korea, the first deal with a big Asian partner.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/economics/south-korean-free-trade-a-done-deal-by-years-end/story-e6frg926-1226197233789

Summary: Kim Young-moo, the deputy director-general of South Korea's Free Trade Agreement Policy Bureau at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, said: "We have solved many issues, and the remaining matters are very few.__"Everybody hopes we shall complete the agreement by the end of the year."__The talks were fast-tracked when Julia Gillard visited Seoul in April, when the Prime Minister said she and President Lee Myung-bak "have the political will to get this done".__Among the big-ticket items, it would mean a gradual dismantling of the 40 per cent tariff on Australian beef, and a faster end to the 5 per cent tariff on Korean cars. South Korea is the third-largest buyer of Australian beef, which now commands 49 per cent of the market.___ Meat and Livestock Australia regional manager Jim Lim said that the main goal now was to increase the overall share of beef consumption, which remained below pork and chicken.__"And we're looking at a very tight timetable to get the FTA done" by the end of the year, he said.

Ruling party set to pass US FTA Thursday [English, MGF]

http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2011/11/116_99141.html

Summary: Tension is gripping the National Assembly as the clock is counting down to Thursday, the day set for the unilateral passage of a motion on a free trade agreement with the United States (KORUS FTA) by the ruling Grand National Party (GNP).

Lee calls US 'most important' free trade partner for Korea [English, MGF]

http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/biz/2011/11/113_99168.html

Summary: MANILA (Yonhap) -- President Lee Myung-bak said Sunday the United States is the "most important" free trade partner for South Korea, the latest in a series of pitches for parliamentary ratification of the long-pending free trade accord with the American ally.

GNP Makes Up Mind to Request Speaker to Exercise His Power to Introduce the KORUS FTA Bill at the Plenary Session [Korean: BYK]

http://www.mt.co.kr/view/mtview.php?type=1&no=2011111615443958573&outlink=1

Summary: The Grand National Party has made up its mind to conclude the KORUS FTA bill as soon as possible. Although, the GNP party members are keeping quiet about their plan on getting the bill ratified, rumors are that GNP will move forward with the ratification process on November 24 or December 2^nd, which are dates for the next plenary session. Although some members of the GNP are still asking to negotiate with the opposition party, most of the people think that GNP will ask the Speaker for the National Assembly to exercise his power in putting forward the KORUS FTA bill for vote at the plenary session.

Concerns over full liberalization of U.S. beef market if ISD is put into force [Korean: BYK]

http://www.nongmin.com/article/print.htm?ar_id=195347

Full text: Assemblyman Ihn Ki Choi, Chairman of the Ag. Committee at the National Assembly asserted that the QSA program that is limiting the import of beef from over thirty month old cattle would become incapacitated as a backlash of KORUS FTA. He asked for renegotiation of the beef protocol that would tighten the import requirement prior to ratifying the KORUS FTA.

A heated debate is expected after Assemblyman Ihn Ki Choi, Chairman of the Ag. Committee at the National Assembly said on November 15^th that if the KORUS FTA is ratified at the National Assembly, beef from over thirty month (OTM) old cattle will also be liberalized. He claimed that beef from OTM that is being restricted since the market opened in 2008 for U.S. beef under the private sector’s voluntary restriction program (QSA) will be fully opened to beef from OTM due to ISD.

President MB Lee visited the National Assembly and met with the speaker and Presidents from the ruling party and opposition party on November 15^th. He stated during this visit that Korea would hold renegotiations on the ISD clause. As the severe impact that the ISD clause can bring has been revealed, it remains to be seen what kind of impact that this would have on the future ratification of the KORUS FTA. Chairman Choi quoted an information source during the internal meeting among Democratic Party members and claimed that “There are a lot of rumors floating around the U.S. political arena that once the KORUS FTA is ratified in Korea, the United States would inactivate the QSA and seek full liberalization of the beef market by suing the Korean Government under the ISD for having prohibited imports of beef from OTM.”

Chairman Choi expressed concerns that “As the QSA program is not a bilateral agreement between the United States and Korea but is a voluntary restriction at the private sector, it would become inactivated if the KORUS FTA is ratified without any changes and it will become inevitable to fully liberalize the U.S. beef market, including beef from OTM where the likelihood of BSE is high.”

He asserted that “As the Prime Minister Seung Soo Han, who was the Prime Minister in 2008 during the beef negotiations, had promised that Korea would also tighten its beef protocol if other neighborhood nations were to tighten their import protocol, Korea needs to hold renegotiations to discuss a more tighter import protocol prior to the ratification of KORUS FTA.” He mentioned the import requirements for Japan which is allowing beef from only under 20 month old animals, beef from only under thirty month (UTM) animals in Taiwan and China which prohibits imports as examples.

Chairman Choi said “The ISD, which is the foremost poisonous clause in the KORUS FTA, must be discarded as there is a possibility that the ISD could infringe the people’s health and sovereignty in quarantine inspection.” He added that “The ratification of the KORUS FTA is absolutely impossible unless the ISD is discarded.” Reported by Kyung Suk Lee

Grand National Party pushes Democratic Party to Ratify KORUS FTA [Korean: BYK]

http://www.mt.co.kr/view/mtview.php?type=1&no=2011111612218213092&outlink=1

Summary: Assemblymen from the ruling GNP welcomed the President’s offer to discuss the ISD issue within 3 months after the ratification of the KORUS FTA and came to a consensus that the time is ripe to ratify the KORUS FTA.__They expressed their hope that the opposition party will also come out with a favorable conclusion in its meeting today.

United States is prepared to discuss the ISD issue after ratification the KORUS FTA [Korean: BYK]

http://kdpress.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=30528&sc_section_code=S1N1&sc_sub_section_code=S2N48

Summary: The U.S. government stated that both countries could discuss the ISD issue at the Service and Investment Committee that both governments have agreed to establish after the FTA is implemented.__A U.S. trade official stated that the United States was prepared to discuss any issue that Korea raises after the implementation of the KORUS FTA.

Democratic Party to make decision on KORUS FTA on Nov. 16 [Korean: BYK]

http://news.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2011/11/16/2011111601188.html

Summary: The Democratic Party will decide whether to ratify the KORUS FTA or not in today’s conference among its party members.__Some of its party members are insisting that the proposal that President Lee made is not enough to get their party to vote for the KORUS FTA.

President Lee states that Korea will begin talks on ISD within 3 months after KORUS FTA is implemented [Korean: BYK]

http://www.ilyoseoul.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=52625

Summary: President Lee visited the National Assembly on November 15^th and met with the leaders from both the ruling and opposition party.__During the meeting, he explained that the Korean Government will begin talks with the United States within 3 months after the KORUS FTA is implemented.

Blue House States that the KORUS FTA should be voted on November 24th [Korean: BYK]

http://www.viewsnnews.com/article/view.jsp?seq=80695

Summary: The Blue House stated that as the President has provided his last offer, the National Assembly needs to now vote on the ratification of the KORUS FTA on November 24^th.___

US open to talks over ISD settlement: official [English, MGF]

http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2011/11/113_98840.html

Summary: WASHINGTON (Yonhap) -- The United States is willing to discuss the controversial issue of investor-state dispute (ISD) settlement with South Korea once their free trade agreement (FTA) takes effect, a U.S. trade official said Tuesday.

Lee vows renegotiation of key clause in US FTA [English, MGF]

http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/biz/2011/11/113_98838.html

Summary: President Lee Myung-bak offered Tuesday to seek renegotiation of a key clause in the free trade agreement with the United States (KORUS FTA) after the trade accord takes effect. The surprise proposal came during Lee’s rare meeting with parliamentary leaders at the National Assembly with the apparent goal of finding a breakthrough to the long-stalled KORUS FTA. Lee proposed that lawmakers ratify the deal first and the government will ask the U.S. for renegotiation of the controversial investor-state dispute settlement (ISD) provision within three months after ratification.

Foreign Minister Meets New U.S. Ambassador [English, MGF]

http://tbsefm.seoul.kr/eNews/news.do?method=efmNewsInfo&n_idx=53398¤tPage=3

Summary: The new U.S. ambassador to Korea, Sung Kim, has paid his first visit to Foreign Minister Kim Sung-hwan since taking office. The foreign minister told the ambassador that his presence in Seoul will be a symbol of the close relationship between the two countries. Sung Kim said it was a tremendous honor to be the new ambassador. Sung Kim arrived in Seoul last week as Washington's top envoy to Seoul, becoming the first Korean-American to take the job since the two nations established diplomatic relations 129 years ago.

S. Korea, Australia Pledge To Work Toward Quick Conclusion Of Free Trade Deal [English, MGF]

http://tbs.seoul.kr/eNews/news.do?method=efmNewsInfo&n_idx=53610¤tPage=7

Summary: President Lee Myung-bak and Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard pledged today to step up efforts to conclude a free trade deal between the two countries at an early date. The presidential office says Lee and Gillard met on the Indonesian island of Bali on the sidelines of this year's meeting of the East Asia Summit forum and expressed satisfaction with their growing cooperation in political, security, economic, and other arenas. Korea and Australia launched free trade negotiations in May 2009, and are in agreement to making efforts to conclude the negotiations before the end of the year.

<11/20/2011> S. Korea, Philippines to sign accord on farm cooperation [English, CSY]

http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/national/2011/11/20/56/0301000000AEN20111120001200315F.HTML

Full text: South Korea and the Philippines will sign a memorandum of understanding to bolster cooperation in agro-industrial development, Seoul officials said Sunday.___ The agreement will be signed Monday in Manila by South Korean Agriculture Minister Seo Gyu-yong and Philippine Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala during a state visit by President Lee Myung-bak, the agriculture ministry said in a statement.______Under the agreement, South Korea and the Philippines will jointly promote a "Multi-Industry Cluster" project that aims to promote agro-industrial development to be funded by loans or private investments.

The agreement calls for South Korean firms to actively join the project.__President Lee and his Philippine counterpart Benigno Aquino III will attend the signing ceremony.__Having completed a series of regional summits with Southeast Asian and other countries in Indonesia, Lee left for the Philippines on Sunday for the three-day state visit and talks about moving bilateral relations forward, and boosting trade and investment and other areas.

S. Korea, Philippines To Sign Accord On Farm Cooperation [English, MGF]

http://tbs.seoul.kr/eNews/news.do?method=efmNewsInfo&n_idx=53639¤tPage=4 __________________

Summary: Korea and the Philippines will sign a memorandum of understanding to bolster cooperation in agro-industrial development. The agreement will be signed Monday in Manila by Korean Agriculture Minister Seo Gyu-yong and Philippine Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala during a state visit by President Lee Myung-bak. Under the agreement, Korea and the Philippines will jointly promote a Multi-Industry Cluster project that aims to promote agro-industrial development to be funded by loans or private investments.

2. ECONOMIC ISSUES

KDI Lowers GDP Growth Outlook for 2012 [English, MGF]

http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/news_Ec_detail.htm?No=86145&id=Ec

Summary: A major state-run think tank, the Korea Development Institute (KDI), has revised down its outlook for the nation’s GDP growth next year from 4.3 percent to 3.8 percent.__It also revised down the nation's economic growth outlook for this year from 4.2 percent to 3.6 percent.__KDI said it had lowered the growth forecast since the global economic growth rate has been adjusted down and deterioration of external conditions had put a damper on South Korea’s export growth.

3. GRAIN & OILSEED ISSUES

2011 rice production at 4,229,019 metric tons (Korean:CSC)

http://news.donga.com/3/all/20111117/41963422/1

Summary: The Korean Statistical Information Service (KOSIS) yesterday released its revision of 2011 rice production estimates at 4,224,019 metric tons (MMT) as a final production number, remaining unchanged from initial production estimates based on a nationwide survey of 6,684 rice standard fields conducted from September 15 to 21, 2011.__/FONT> The estimate places Korean rice production for 2011 at the lowest since 1980 and down 1.8 percent from last year.

4. LIVESTOCK ISSUES

It is not possible to verify the COO for over 30 percent of beef being sold in Busan [Korean: BYK]

http://mbn.mk.co.kr/pages/news/newsView.php?category=mbn00009&news_seq_no=1127853

Summary: According to data from the Busan Regional Health & Environment Research Institute, 32.9 percent (29 samples) out of a total of 89 samples tested for beef traceability turned out to be false. As for 22 samples taken from the school lunch program, 15 samples did not match with the DNA information on the label.

China detects growth hormone in imported pork [Korean: BYK]

http://www.mt.co.kr/view/mtview.php?type=1&no=2011111615443958573&outlink=1

Summary: AQSIA announced that it had detected residues of ractopamine in frozen pork and ham that had been imported from the United States. It first detected the residue in July but announced the final finding on November 16^th after undergoing reconfirmation tests. Ractopamine is prohibited for use in China but it is permitted to be used the United States.

People from Philippines Come to Korea to Learn About Beef Traceability System [Korean: BYK]

http://www.nongmin.com/article/ar_detail.htm?ar_id=195280&subMenu=articletotal

Summary: Researchers from Karabachos center in Philippines that are visiting Korea under an exchange program being sponsored by KOICA and National Hankyung University attended a training to learn about the beef traceability system.

5. MARKETING ISSUES

Retailers Seek to Further Expand Private Label Business … Threatens Manufacturers [Korean, OSY]

http://news.donga.com/Economy/Market/3/0108/20111121/42046211/1

Summary: Retailers in Korea, including hypermarket chains and category killer stores (such as Zara) are getting bigger control of the supply chain with private label business.__For example, E-Mart has sold its own branded 5,000 LDC TVs in three days after launching earlier this month.__E-Mart’s own branded Brazilian espresso coffee beans were sold out in two weeks after launching earlier this month.__Total number of private brand products sold in leading hypermarket chains have shown a rapid increase in recent years, reaching 15,000 in E-Mart and 13,000 in Home Plus.__Private label products are expected to account for about 24 percent to 27 percent of leading hypermarket chains’ overall annual sales this year.__European retailers are reportedly getting around 30 to 40 percent of sales from private label business, and market analysts forecast that Korean retailers still have room to grow their private label business.

Seoul To Crackdown On Mislabeled Food Products [English, MGF]

http://tbsefm.seoul.kr/eNews/news.do?method=efmNewsInfo&n_idx=53386¤tPage=4

Summary: The city of Seoul has announced a crackdown on mislabeled food products at markets across the city. Inspectors will check the country of origin labeling of food products sold at 22 traditional markets and 22 independent markets from today through this Friday. The Seoul Metropolitan Government says recent surveys show that 78 percent of products were correctly labeled at traditional

6. OTHER MISCELLANEOUS ISSUES

US ambassador vows to mix with ordinary Korean people [English, MGF]

http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2011/11/113_99156.html

Summary: The new U.S. ambassador to South Korea said Sunday he will spare no efforts to mix with ordinary Korean people as he launched an Internet blog less than a week after assuming his post.

7. MIFAFF PRESS RELEASES

__ Korea and Japan to join efforts in coping with illegal fishing by Chinese vessels

__ MIFAFF to plant more flower bearing trees, such as acacia trees, to help bee farmers

__ National Fishery Cooperatives Federation to tighten controls over primary coops to prevent any mis-practices via internet supervision.

__ Third ASEM Forum on Marine Fisheries held in Korea for the first time from November 16-17 in Busan.

__ MIFAFF holds round table meeting to discuss ideas for enhancing the quality of rural welfare and livelihood.

__ National Seed Supply Service begin receiving applications for 24 different varieties of rice to be planted in 2012.

__ Korea and Philippines to sign MOU for cooperation in agriculture between the two nations

__ MIFAFF distributes educational CDs on preventing illegal fishing

__ MIFAFF decides to provide support to farmers that are suffering from the Typhoon damage in June of this year and the hail storm in October 2011.

__ MIFAFF to introduce insurance policies for oyster and seaweed farmers

__ MIFAFF looks at various measures for ensuring fishermen welfare

__ Outlook for rice supply and demand in 2011

__ “Citrus Export Research Organization” to lead future of Korean citrus industry

__ MIFAFF to tighten control over illegal cuttlefish fishing in East Sea

__ Local bakery and ice cream prices to stay at current levels, despite increase in milk prices

__ MIFAFF develops BRIS system (Bio Resources Information Service). BIOS will integrate various types of information on bio resources that is currently being managed by a number of different agencies.

__ MIFAFF to set up an agency responsible for developing modern food packaging methods by 2015.

__ One out of two ocean fishermen is of foreign nationality.

__ Korea to expand Korean food cuisine to Europe

__ MIFAFF Minister to hold round table meeting with Korea Federation of Small Business on November 16, 2011.

__ MIFAFF to seek early settlement of custom-ordered fertilizer and increase use of environment friendly fertilizers.__/FONT> MIFAFF is organizing a conference to discuss this issue from Nov. 16-17, 2011 in Gangwon-do.

__ Korean lunch boxes to be delivered to major office buildings in New York.__In order to promote Korean foods, MIFAFF has begun to deliver Korean dishes such as bibimbap, bulgogi, japchae, etc., in lunch boxes.__

__ Famous gag men participate in Farmers’ Day Event held on November 11.

__ MIFAFF promotes urban children to move to rural schools

__ MIFAFF refutes MBC’s assert that Saemangum tide embankment is slowly collapsing, less than 1.5 years after its completion.

__ MIFAFF provides legal basis for supporting urban agriculture.

__ “Korea Food Expo 2011” joins the world through food

__ MIFAFF selects 15 projects as green technology.

__ MIFAFF provides legal basis for enhancing selling of used agricultural equipments, such as tractors.

__ MIFAFF holds bilateral talks in Vietnam to discuss safety of Vietnamese fishery products

__ MIFAFF holds photo contest on co-existence of human and animals

__ MIFAFF to strengthen control over illegal fishing by Chinese fishing boats

__ MIFAFF promotes consumption of Chinese cabbages for making winter kimchi.