1. GRAIN & OILSEED ISSUES

aT Grain Changes Its Strategy … Now Seeks to Acquire an American Grain Suppliers [Korean, OSY]

http://www.hankyung.com/news/app/newsview.php?aid=2011121828661&sid=0104&nid=004&ltype=1

Summary: It is reported that aT Grain, a grain trading company co-invested by aT (Korean government agency under the Ministry of Ag.) and three Korean conglomerate businesses, is seeking to acquire an American grain supplier who owns about a dozen grain elevators in the U.S.  aT Grain would spend about $100 million for the acquisition.  aT Grain was established in April this year under a government initiative to develop a stable supply channel of grains by obtaining grain elevators in the major producing countries, including the U.S.   However, aT has failed to acquire any grain elevator so far, and now intends to acquire a company that owns several grain elevators as an alternative.  Many people in the industry still remain skeptical if aT Grain would be able to accomplish its business goals anytime soon.

2. MARKETING ISSUES

Convenience Store Industry Adds 4,500 New Stores This Year … Total Store in the Industry Exceeds 20,000 [Korean, OSY]

http://www.hankyung.com/news/app/newsview.php?aid=2011121827901&sid=0104&nid=004&ltype=1

Summary: Total number of stores under the Korea Convenience Store Association (participated by the leading 7 companies) is forecast to hit 20,650 by the year end.  Leading companies diligently added new stores through the year, and the net increase in the total number of stores in the industry would be 3,700, a record yearly high.  The leading player in the industry is Family Mart (6,600 stores), followed by GS25 (6,300), Seven Eleven (5,500), and Ministop (1,700).  However, opinions are divided about the future of the industry.  Pessimists argue that the rapid increase of stores is lowering the profit level, while optimists say that there are still enough room for additional 20,000 new stores in the market.

3. OTHER MISCELLANEOUS ISSUES

Illegal Fishing by Chinese Boats Continues in West Sea Even After the Killing of a Korean Marine Policeman [Korean, OSY]

http://news.donga.com/Society/New/3/03/20111217/42677455/1

Summary: It is reported that about 2,500 Chinese fishing boats are illegally fishing in the Korean EEZ area in the west sea every day.  However, the Korean authority is not maintaining effective control of the situation due to limited resources as indicated by the fact that only several of the Chinese boats are being stopped each day.  A Korean marine policeman was killed earlier in December while trying to catch a Chinese fishing boat in the area.

Coffee Imports Exceeds $500 Million This Year [Korean, OSY]

http://www.hankyung.com/news/app/newsview.php?aid=2011121827891&sid=0104&nid=004&ltype=1

Summary: Total imports of coffee products during January through October this year amounted to $508 million, up over 100 percent from last year.  Brazil was the leading exporter ($100 million) followed by Columbia ($91 million), Vietnam ($71 million), and Honduras ($65 million).  While countries that focus on lower quality beans are losing market share in Korea, countries known for higher quality Arabica beans, Brazil and Columbia in particular, are gaining market shares.

Korea Government plan to spend trillion won in 10 years to support farmers [Korean, YSY]

http://news.hankooki.com/lpage/economy/201112/h2011121616130421500.htm

Summary: Korea Government plan to spend trillion won in 10 years, approximately 1 billion dollars per year, to support farm and fishery industries, in updating facilities and promoting education and export.