1. BIOTECHNOLOGY ISSUES

56.2% of Koreans agree on GMO cultivation, on the opposite position of Europe [Korean, LSH]

http://www.munhwa.com/news/view.html?no=2013082001031624106004

Summary: According to a survey conducted by the Rural Development Administration (RDA), more than half of Koreans were in favor of GMO cultivation. The unexpected answer contrasts to the global trend of going against the production of GMO food, most active in Europe.  However, Korean citizens’ actual understanding of GMO seems to quite lacking; 80% admitted that they have limited understanding of genetically modified product and its consequences.  Moreover, in terms of commercializing GMO food, many still expressed doubts and concerns. 

2. ECONOMIC ISSUES

Last Year’s Agriculture & forestry Production Increased by 7% [LSH, Korean]

http://www.nongmin.com/article/ar_detail.htm?ar_id=221948&subMenu=articletotal

Summary: Last year’s agriculture and forestry gross production scored 46 trillion won, with 7% increase compared to the previous year.  Mainly, sharp increase in farm income as well as livestock industry contributed to the rise.  In terms of each product, rice production increased by 1%, consisting largest portion of the whole agricultural production followed by pork, Hanwoo, chicken and milk.

3. GRAIN & OILSEED ISSUES

Rice paddies in S. Korea continue to shrink in 2013 [English, CSY]

http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/business/2013/08/27/99/0503000000AEN20130827002300320F.html

Full text: The size of rice paddies in South Korea continued to shrink this year as demand declined and farmers shifted to grow more profitable crops, a government report showed Tuesday.  The size of all rice paddies came to 832,625 hectares this year, down 1.9 percent from 849,172 hectares a year earlier, according to the report by Statistics Korea. This figure compares with about 1 million hectares of rice paddies tallied in 2004, the report showed.  The decline is attributable to falling demand, shrinking farmland caused by construction and farmers moving to grow crops more profitable than rice, the report said.   Declining rice paddies and falling demand led to less rice production.  Last year, South Korea produced about 4 million tons of rice, down from 4.22 million tons tallied a year earlier, the report showed. The figure for 2013 will come out in October, a statistics agency official said.  Rice remains one of South Koreans' main staple crops, but its demand has been on the decline over the past decade as a growing number of people opt for westernized foods and other alternative diets for their daily meals.

Korea rice self-sufficiency stays in the 80% blurring the 2015 year goal of 98% [Korean, LSH]

http://news.khan.co.kr/kh_news/khan_art_view.html?artid=201308280600005&code=920501

Summary: This year, rice self-sufficiency in Korea stayed in the 80% range for the second consecutive year while grain self-sufficiency marked its lowest point of 23.6%. Decrease in rice production attribute to “Diversification of Farm based Income Project”, a policy conducted by government in 2011 to encourage farmers to cultivate diverse kind of grains in order to stabilize rice price. Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) aimed that by 2015 rice self-sufficiency would rise up to 98% and grain self-sufficiency up to 30%. However, experts see that the goal is unlikely to be achieved in just two years. The MAFRA understands that they should encourage agricultural sectors through subsidies and balancing out of the supply-demand.

The Democratic Party brings out a compromise plan for the rice target price advance [Korean, LSH]

http://www.nongmin.com/article/ar_detail.htm?ar_id=221850&subMenu=articletotal

Summary: Continuing disagreement among the two parties regarding rice target price advance seems to meet a point of agreement as the Democratic Party suggested a compromise plan. The party proposed an average price of rice among the plans brought out by the party and the government.  Moreover, government subsidies to agricultural sector remains as another problem; the balance between direct subsidies and the whole AMS limit must be profoundly considered.  Both the Government and political parties are seeking ways to minimize potential financial burden and to aid farm incomes at the same time.

Rice Stock under Government Control Drops Below the Optimum Level [LSH, Korean]

http://www.nongmin.com/article/ar_detail.htm?ar_id=221960&subMenu=articletotal

Summary: It is estimated that the total rice stock under government management will drop below the optimum level next year. The optimal total stock recommended by FAO stays in 720,000 tons, while total stock is expected to be around 710,000 tons in 2014. This is mainly because of decrease in rice imports resulted from delayed rice tariffication and government’s inadequate countermeasures.  In the wake of poor harvest for 3 years in a row since 2010, the government had been receiving rice imports earlier than it was originally planned, which in the end instablized the adjustment of demand and supply.

4. MARKETING ISSUES

“We Want World Consumers to Eat Korean Food Minimum Once a Week”, CJ President Reveals 2020 Goals [Korean, OSY]

http://news.donga.com/3/all/20130828/57287948/1

Summary: GH Lee, president of CJ, the largest food company in Korea announced his 2020 vision on August 28 during his visit to New York.  The 2020 plan includes globalization of Korean cuisine through expanding CJ’s Bibigo branded restaurant chains and processed food sales in foreign countries.  Bibigo restaurants, which CJ operates 14 stores in 6 different foreign markets, will be increased to 740 under the plan.  Mr. Lee added that the U.S. will be the key target market for CJ’s 2020 plan.

“We Don’t Sell Japanese Seafood” [Korean, OSY]

Sales of Premium Pet Food Expands … Pulmoowon Enters the Market [Korean, OSY]

http://news.naver.com/main/read.nhn?mode=LSD&mid=sec&sid1=101&oid=020&aid=0002468523

Summary: Pulmoowon, a leading food and beverage processor in Korea announced on September 4 that it had launched ‘Amio’ brand pet food business.  Pulmoowon’s entry into the pet food business indicates that the market for premium pet food in Korea is expected to continue a strong growth in the coming year.  According to NACF Economic Institute, total sales of pet care market in Korea, including pet food and non-food products, have increased 14.3 percent each year between 2000 and 2012.  About 18 percent of Korean households raise pets (4.4 million dogs and 1.2 million cats), and the Korean pet owners are demanding higher quality pet products, NACFEI pointed out.

5. OTHER MISCELLANEOUS ISSUES

Public Anxieties Rise while Government Shows Idle Response [LSH, Korean]

http://www.kookje.co.kr/news2011/asp/newsbody.asp?code=0200&key=20130829.22003211957

Summary: Public awareness on radioactive contamination of marine products is constantly rising in Korea since the Fukushima nuclear power plant incident in Japan. The Government’s attitude, however, is rather naïve and indifferent as opposed to citizen’s elevated concerns. The Government keeps on emphasizing that the imported marine products are safe from radioactive contaminants and that they are currently being supervised under the government surveillance.  Many neighboring nations including U.S and Singapore have decided not to import any marine products from the coast of Fukushima whereas Korea still allows certain portion of the incoming. 

96.6% shows Disbelief in the Government’s Official Position toward Japan’s Marine Product [LSH, Korean]

http://www.iusm.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=305496

Summary: Despite the government’s official position that Japan’s marine products are safe from radioactive contamination, general public’s concern towards it is constantly rising. Especially, those who are engaged in the marine products industry in Korea are experiencing loss of customers and sharp decrease in sales income.  According to a survey, 96.6% out of 1,000 Korean citizens said that they cannot trust the government announcement that Japanese product are safe from the radioactive contamination. Different standard in measuring the potential threat of Japanese product resulted in discord between the government and the citizens.  To alleviate the anxieties, Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) decided to reveal the record of products imported from Japan everyday and be more considerate in terms of taking in Japanese product in Korean market.

ROKG to Strengthen Inspections on Japanese Seafood to Prevent Fake Country of Origin Labeling [Korean, OSY]

http://news.donga.com/3/all/20130903/57404399/1

Summary: Korean government announced that it would increase the inspections and market monitoring activities on seafood imported from Japan in the month of September to prevent violations of country of origin labeling.  It is part of the measure to calm down the consumer concerns on radioactivity risk from imported Japanese seafood.  Due to the elevated concerns, Korean consumers are reportedly decreasing seafood purchases, including domestic seafood.  The month of September is very important to the seafood trade in Korea because local Thanksgiving day, one of peak seasons for seafood sales, falls in the month.

Safety Concerns on Japanese Seafood Spread over to Other Japanese Products … Sales of Imported Japanese Curry and Instant Noodle Decline by 20 Percent [Korean, OSY]

http://www.hankyung.com/news/app/newsview.php?aid=2013090291081

Summary: According to the retail industry sources, sales of imported Japanese products, including processed food such as curry and instant noodles, have shown a sharp decline in recent weeks.  Market analysts reported that consumers’ elevated safety concerns on Japanese seafood due to recent press reports on continued radioactive contamination incidents in Hukusima nuclear power plant were spreading over to other Japanese products.