FAS/Seoul Monitoring of Media Reporting on Agricultural Issues 

Today's Date: Friday,  September  26,  2025

For Coverage:  September 19 ~  26,  2025

Bread and Fish Sausages Can Be Labeled ‘Less Salty,’ Chocolate ‘Less Sweet’ 
https://www.foodnews.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=115257 
The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has announced a proposed amendment to expand sodium and sugar reduction labeling to include bread, fish sausages, meat extract-based processed foods such as soups and stews, and chocolate. Under the amendment, products that cut sodium or sugar content by at least 10% compared to the market average, or 25% compared to similar products from the same manufacturer, may be labeled “less salty” or “less sweet.” The ministry explained that this change is intended to broaden consumer choice and help promote a healthier dietary environment. 

Strawberry seedlings for Jeju, which used to come from overseas, will now be sourced locally on the island 
https://www.donga.com/news/Society/article/all/20250925/132461004/1 
The long-standing issue of strawberry seedlings for Jeju strawberry farmers is expected to be resolved. The Jeju Special Self-Governing Province Agricultural Research and Extension Services recently succeeded in producing over 7,000 high-quality strawberry seedlings and announced on the 25th that they plan to gradually distribute them to local farms starting next year. As of last year, Jeju’s strawberry cultivation area reached 43 hectares, with an annual gross income (sales) of approximately 12.08 billion won, making it a high-income crop. 

Tariff Quotas Applied to Six Food Ingredients Including Potatoes for Chips and Frozen Strawberries 
https://www.foodnews.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=115250 
Tariff quotas will be applied to six food ingredients, including potatoes for chip production and frozen strawberries, with 6,000 tons of potatoes for chips subject to a 0% tariff from September 25 to November 30, 2025. In addition, frozen strawberries (3,000 tons), other frozen fruits (1,300 tons), and sunflower seed oil (10,000 tons) will have a 0% tariff, while other prepared fruits (3,500 tons) and apple concentrate (1,200 tons) will be subject to a 15% tariff. This measure is intended to stabilize consumer prices and domestic markets by applying lower tariff rates than the basic rate to limited quantities. 

Korea National Food Cluster Publishes Certification Guide for Exporting Korean Foods to the U.S. 
https://www.foodnews.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=115242 
The Korea National Food Cluster (Foodpolis) has published a guidebook on the U.S. NDI (New Dietary Ingredient) and GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) certification systems. NDI is a pre-notification system applied to dietary supplement ingredients, while GRAS allows the use of substances recognized as safe in foods without prior approval. The guide covers the U.S. food regulatory framework, NDI and GRAS procedures and differences, documentation guidelines, error prevention measures, success cases, and the latest regulatory trends, and it has been officially published with an ISBN. Foodpolis also plans to release additional materials on international certification systems such as the EU Novel Food within this year

Consumer Sentiment Declines After Six Months on U.S. Tariff and Construction Concerns
https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20250923136700002?section=economy/all
Korea’s consumer sentiment index (CCSI) fell to 110.1 in September, marking its first decline in six months. The Bank of Korea attributed the downturn to growing uncertainty over unresolved U.S. tariff negotiations and a sluggish construction sector, which dampened expectations for economic conditions and household spending.

Chief Trade Negotiator to Hold Follow-up Tariff Talks with U.S. Trade Representative Greer 
https://news.tvchosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2025/09/22/2025092290288.html 
On the 23rd, Chief Trade Negotiator Yeo Han-koo will depart for Malaysia to attend the ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Meeting and hold follow-up talks with Jamieson Greer of the U.S. Trade Representative on stalled tariff negotiations. The two sides are expected to discuss Korea’s investment package in the U.S., profit-sharing, a Korea-U.S. currency swap, visa issues, as well as non-tariff barriers such as agricultural products and the Online Platform Act. The meeting will also be attended by the European Commission President, providing an opportunity for Korea and the EU to exchange views on negotiations with the U.S. 

G20 Agriculture Ministers Discuss ‘Sustainable Agri-Food Systems’ 
https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20250922065800030?section=industry/agriculture 
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced that at the G20 Agriculture Ministers’ Meeting held on September 18–19 in Cape Town, South Africa, participants discussed ways to transition toward sustainable and climate-resilient agri-food systems. Attended by Acting Director-General for International Cooperation Jeong Kyung-seok, the meeting covered topics such as expanding market participation, enhancing youth and women’s engagement, promoting technological innovation, and strengthening climate response, while also emphasizing the need for indigenous crop development and inclusive innovation. At the Food Security Tast Force Ministerial, members discussed cooperation on stabilizing food price volatility, strengthening food and nutrition security, and aligning national strategies with global policies.

Special Crackdown on Seafood Origin Labeling Ahead of Chuseok 
https://www.foodnews.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=115197 
The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries will conduct a special crackdown on seafood origin labeling from September 22 to October 2, focusing on key holiday products such as pollock, yellow croaker, and mackerel, as well as high-risk items like red sea bream, octopus, and scallops. The inspection will cover seafood manufacturers, distributors, retailers, restaurants, and online delivery platforms, carried out by relevant government agencies. False labeling of origin may result in up to seven years of imprisonment or fines of up to 100 million won, while failure to label origin can lead to fines of up to 10 million won. 

Lee Warns U.S. Investment Demands Could Trigger Financial Crisis
https://www.donga.com/news/Politics/article/all/20250922/132433849/1
President Lee said in a Reuters interview that if Korea accepts the U.S. request to invest $350 billion in cash without a currency swap, the country could face a crisis similar to 1997. He explained that differences over investment handling have delayed submission of an agreement. Lee also mentioned the recent detention of 317 Korean workers at the Hyundai-LG battery plant in Georgia, saying it could discourage corporate investment in the U.S., though the alliance remains intact.

Quarantine Agency to Tighten Inspections on Imported Agricultural and Livestock Products Ahead of Chuseok 
https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20250920033300030?section=industry/industrial-enterprise 
The Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency will strengthen inspections on agricultural and livestock products from September 22 to October 10 in preparation for the expected increase in international travelers during the Chuseok holiday. To prevent the inflow of animal diseases such as ASF, FMD, and avian influenza, as well as pests like red imported fire ants and fire blight, quarantine sniffer dogs and X-ray scanners will be deployed, with information shared with the Korea Customs Service. In addition, major banned items such as mangoes, guavas, and processed meat products, along with related penalties, will be announced on airport display boards, and illegal online sales will also be monitored. 
 
Intensified Discussions on Full GMO Labeling System 
https://www.foodnews.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=115155 
The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety will hold a forum in Seoul on the 19th to discuss the introduction of a full GMO labeling system and gather opinions from academia, industry, and consumer groups. The system requires labeling whenever GM crops are used in manufacturing or processing, regardless of whether GMO genes or proteins remain, with the aim of ensuring consumers’ right to know. The ministry plans to pursue social consensus and establish rational policies that balance public interest with industrial competitiveness.

(Editorial Commentary – Summary of Local Press)

U.S. Tariff Pressure Shakes U.S.-ROK Trust; ROK Must Prepare for Worst-Case Scenario  
The JoongAng Ilbo editorial warns that Washington’s tariff pressure and investment demands are straining the U.S.-ROK alliance. President Lee recalled in a TIME interview the heavy burden of Trump’s strict conditions during past tariff talks, noting that such concessions could even risk impeachment. With threats of extended 25 percent tariffs on key exports like semiconductors, the paper urges Seoul to prepare for worst-case scenarios while pursuing a reasonable compromise to safeguard national interests.