Today's Date:      Thurdsay, May 17, 2012

1. BILATERAL/MULTILATERAL ISSUES

Beef issue not discussed at the joint FTA committee [Korean: BYK]

http://www.yonhapnews.co.kr/international/2012/05/17/0608000000AKR20120517007651071.HTML?template=2087

Summary: The Trade Minister explained after holding a bilateral FTA committee meeting with his counterpart, Ambassador Ron Kirk, that specific issues, such as beef and ISD were not discussed during the meeting.  He added that the ROKG was taking a cautious approach in dealing with the BSE issue but that there were some segments within the political arena and society that are very resistant against that issue.  He also explained that the consumers’ confidence on U.S beef had dropped slightly and although the import had not been suspended or prohibited, consumption had dropped significantly.  A person from the Embassy said, “The beef issue is an issue that has to do with the import protocol and therefore it can be dealt with on a bilateral basis between the ROKG and USDA or through the FTA channel.  Today’s meeting was to discuss measures to enable an efficient operation of the 19 committees and working groups.”

5. LIVESTOCK ISSUES

BSE and Leap Month causes Department Stores and Hypermarkets to Cry [Korean: BYK]

http://news.heraldm.com/view.php?ud=20120517000250&md=20120517093903_5

Summary:  The monthly sales amount for both the large hypermarkets and department stores in April dropped by 2.4% and 3.4%, respectively, over the March level.  The sales in hypermarkets dropped in all sectors, except for the sportswear.  The food sales in hypermarkets dropped by 3.3% over the previous month due to BSE and high fishery prices and coercive closure of the hypermarkets twice per month.  The leap month was the main reason for the slowdown in department sales, as newlyweds try to avoid getting married in a leap month. 

Anxiety over “BSE shock” remains unchanged … Consumers closely examine the “country of origin” [Korean: BYK]

http://news.kbs.co.kr/economic/2012/05/16/2476322.html

Summary:  Although it has been around 20 days since the BSE shock, the consumers’ anxiety remains unchanged.  Consumers are very sensitive about closely checking the country-of-origin (COO).  Consumers are asking for the COO of beef that they order in restaurants and some are using smart phones to check the traceability of the beef that they are purchasing.    

The Problem of the Onsite BSE Fact-finding team and the Lies of the Government [Korean: BYK]

http://www.pressian.com/article/article.asp?article_num=30120516135847

Summary: The fact finding team that the ROKG dispatched to the United States after the 4^th BSE case returned after wasting tax payers’ money for 12 days without even being able to visit the index farm.  The team made an absurd announcement d that there weren’t any risk factors of BSE and that it would continue the enhanced inspection measure for the time being.  It is like announcing that a certain suspect is not guilty without even visiting the homicide site.  The delegation went on a “Don’t Ask Style Package” sightseeing, without knowing what the next day’s itinerary was going to be or the hotel where they would be spending the next night in.  Because of this, the team could not conduct the fact finding mission but returned after listening to the unilateral explanation by the USG that took the role of an onsite guide.  The stuff that the team announced could have been all gathered via email.  They should not have summarized and announced the information that the USG had provided but should have conducted an independent and practical investigation for the public health and safety.  

The People’s Joint Conference for Surveillance of BSE risk asks the Onsite Fact Finding Delegation for a Public Discussion [Korean: BYK]

http://news.naver.com/main/read.nhn?mode=LSD&mid=sec&sid1=102&oid=001&aid=0005615802

Summary: A group of about dozen people from the “People’s Joint Conference for Surveillance of BSE” held a press conference and asked the Onsite Fact Finding Delegation to attend a public discussion.  The placard that they are holding also asks people to attend the candlelight protest at 8 p.m. on May 18 (Friday).