Rival parties, gov't to discuss S. Korea-U.S. free trade deal [English, CSY]

http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/national/2011/07/08/64/0301000000AEN20110708002800315F.HTML

Summary: A consultative body of rival parties and the government plan to meet on Friday to find a compromise over the long-pending parliamentary approval of the free trade deal with the United States, lawmakers said.  The FTA deal, first signed in 2007 and supplemented last December, has been awaiting approval from legislatures of both countries.   South Korea's efforts to ratify the high-profile trade agreement have repeatedly been dashed amid severe resistance by opposition parties calling for the government to renegotiate the deal that they said allowed too much compromise at the cost of local carmakers and farmers.

As part of bids to assuage such contention, lawmakers agreed to launch early Friday the consultative body composed of lawmakers of the ruling and opposition parties and senior government officials concerned with the deal.  The Grand National Party (GNP) is seeking to pass the long-pending bill through the National Assembly during an extra session in August as the U.S. is moving to get Congress to approve the pact by early next month.

Seoul denies report on FTA talks with Beijing [English, CSY]

http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/business/2011/07/08/51/0502000000AEN20110708002700320F.HTML

Summary: South Korea denied a local media report Friday that it has agreed with China to launch negotiations for a bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) within this year.   "There are still differences on when and how the two countries start negotiations, although both sides share views that a bilateral free trade deal is necessary," the ministry said in a statement.   The denial came after the vernacular daily JoongAng Ilbo reported that Seoul and Beijing will later in the day sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the launch of their FTA talks within this year.   The media also said the two countries may adopt a so-called early harvest program in launching their FTA negotiations, which is designed to offer preferential tariffs on some non-sensitive goods.   In South Korea, there are growing calls for an FTA with Beijing as a similar trade deal between China and Taiwan has recently taken effect.

2. LIVESTOCK ISSUES

S. Korea to impose lowered tariffs on more pork imports: minister [English, CSY]

http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/business/2011/07/07/0502000000AEN20110707005900320.HTML

Summary: South Korea will expand the amount of imported pork subject to lower tariffs as part of efforts to stabilize food prices and ease inflationary pressure, the nation's top economic policymaker said Thursday.  "We will significantly expand the amount of pork imports subject to lower tariff rates, while at the same time encouraging (pork) producers and distributors to voluntarily cooperate in stabilizing prices," Finance Minister Bahk Jae-wan told an anti-inflation policy meeting.

Visitors from Countries with FMD or AI Must Report Upon Immigration [English, CSY]

http://www.arirang.co.kr/News/News_View.asp?nseq=117920&code=Ne2&category=2

Summary: People entering Korea who have visited farmhouses or livestock markets in countries with known current or previous cases of foot-and-mouth disease or avian influenza will have to report their visit to immigration from July 25th.  The Quarantine and Inspection Agency also say that Korean nationals working in livestock industry must report before visiting a country on the FMD or AI watch list. Those who fail to comply with the new regulations will be fined 5 million won, or about 4,700 US dollars.  There are currently 68 FMD status countries and 17 countries on the avian influenza list.