1. BILATERAL/MULTILATERAL ISSUES

 

Byeong Se, Yoon, Minister of Foreign Affairs shows intention of participating in TPP saying that “There is a political consensus within the government” [English, LSH]

http://joongang.joins.com/article/532/12855532.html?ctg=

http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=2978862&cloc=joongangdaily|home|newslist1

Summary: Regarding Korean government participating in TPP, Minister Yoon of Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) made a remark on October 14^th that TPP will benefit the government and there has been agreement to this opinion within the government as well.  It was an answer to a question, “What is your opinion on joining TPP in situation where the U.S. keeps China’s growth in check?” asked by Sung Gon Kim, member of the Democratic Party on Foreign Affairs and Trade Committee’s parliamentary inspection held in the National Assembly. Moreover, Minister Yoon said that details on temporal matters to joining the partnership still needs further multilateral discussions.  Oh Seok, Hyun, Minister of Strategy and Finance also emphasized that the Korean government would join TPP but nothing explicit has been decided yet in the correspondent meeting held the same day. 

 

TPP refers to an economic partnership of twelve countries in Pacific Rim including U.S. promoted by Obama administration under the theme of “Return to Asia.”  Until now, Korean government has been passive in revealing official stance as the government had to balance out between U.S. promoting TPP and China promoting RCEP.  President Park also restrained from mentioning about TPP in international conferences like APEC.  At this point of time, comment of Minister Yoon and Hyun marks an important turning point to the government’s official standpoint on will of participation.  In reaction to this, the government also expects defiance from Chinese government. However, Minister Yoon insisted that RCEP and TPP are not in conflicting relationship but are meant for complementary cooperation.

 

2. BIOTECHNOLOGY ISSUES

 

Environmental and Civic Organizations Strongly Oppose to GMO production [Korean, LSH]

http://www.yonhapnews.co.kr/economy/2013/10/12/0302000000AKR20131012039500004.HTML

Summary: On World Monsanto Day, Pro-life Movement Solidarity of Korea asserted that GMO products are solely produced for economic benefits and that those are harmful to human body and environment.  They added that Korean government should conduct more serious investigations on imported GMO products and intensify labeling system to provide accurate information to the consumers. They also claimed for the right of farmers and currently rising movement against Monsanto.

 

3. GRAIN & OILSEED ISSUES

 

This Year’s Rice Output Hit the Highest in 4 Years [Korean, LSH]

http://joongang.joins.com/article/aid/2013/10/15/12448381.html?cloc=olink|article|default

Summary:  This year’s rice production volume showed clear increasing trend after 4 years.  This is because of good weather condition despite decrease in cultivation area.  According to National Statistical Office (NSO), expected rice yield in 2013 is 4,240,000 tons which is 230,000 tons higher than the last year. This is the largest volume after 2010 when it was 4,295,000 ton.  Since 2009, the rice yield has been decreasing continuously for three years and last year’s output scored the smallest after 32 years.  Luckily, however, this year’s output per 10 acre increased by 7.8% even though extent of rice cultivation field decreased by 1.9% compared to last year.  National Statistical Office explained that great weather condition on September contributed to well-ripened rice.

 

Getting Close to Rice Tariffication in 2014 after Abundant Harvest [Korean, LSH]

http://news.kukinews.com/article/view.asp?page=1&gCode=kmi&arcid=0007651444&cp=du

http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=2978777

Summary: On Foreign Affairs and Trade Committee’s parliamentary inspection held in the National Assembly today, the government implied that opening of the rice market next year seems inevitable. Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs said in his announcement that maintaining the status quo would be the best scenario but it seems rather impossible. This year’s whole rice output increased by 5% compared to last year due to great weather condition but rice consumption stayed in similar level. This tendency might bring about the era of rice oversupply. Issues concerning rice target price and subsidies to rice farmhouses will be discussed further within the government. 

 

4. LIVESTOCK ISSUES

 

12% of Hanwoo Farms (150,000 households) Reports Closure of Business [Korean, LSH]

http://www.mt.co.kr/view/mtview.php?type=1&no=2013101410195256452&outlink=1

Summary: Since last year’s KORUS FTA effectuation, it is found that 11 out of 100 Hanwoo farms reported closure of the business.  Increase in influx of imported beef, rise in feed cost and decrease in Hanwoo price all together became hardships for the Hanwoo farms to run their business.  As the number of Hanwoon farms out of business is more than expected, problems of support funds provided by the government has become a serious matter as well.

 

Number of Raised Pig Hits a New Record in 30 Years but the Price Remains Stable [Korean, LSH]

http://news20.busan.com/controller/newsController.jsp?newsId=20131012000047#none

Summary: The number of domestically raised pigs hit the highest this year but pork price seems to recover from sudden fall in the first half of the year.  According to National Statistics Office

(NSO), the number of pigs was recorded 10,188,000 heads, which is the highest since 1983.  Although the number of sows and piglings decreased, the number of butchery decreased as well, making the whole number of pigs in farms increase.