1. Bilateral/Multilateral Issues
2. Marketing Issues
3. Economic Issues
4. Grain and Oilseed Issues
5. Livestock Issues
6. North Korea Issues
7. Other Miscellaneous Issues
 
 
1. Bilateral/Multilateral Issues
 
Korea hopes for EU FTA to take effect in July 2010 [English: CSY]
http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2911942
Summary: Korea is expecting a free trade deal with the European Union to take effect around July next year, Seoul’s top trade official said yesterday.  Last month, the FTA was initialed, three months after talks concluded.  “Both sides are seeking to officially sign the accord before March, and let it take effect around July,” Korean Trade Minister Kim Jong-hoon said in a radio interview. The pact is expected to boost trade between Korea and the EU by as much as 20 percent, according to an estimate by the state-run Korea Institute for International Economic Policy.
 
Canadian PM to Visit S.Korea in December (English: MF)
http://english.kbs.co.kr/News/News/News_view.html?page=1&No=67794&id=Po
Summary: Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper will make a two-day visit to South Korea in early December. The presidential office in Seoul says Harper will hold a summit with President Lee Myung-bak on December seventh to discuss ways to further develop the “special partnership” between the two countries.
 
Lee: Korea Will Strengthen Ties with ASEAN  (English: MF)
http://english.kbs.co.kr/News/News/News_view.html?page=1&No=67783&id=Po
Summary: President Lee Myung-bak says he will solidify the nation’s international status by strengthening ties with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). In his biweekly radio address Monday, the president said that his plan for a New Asia Diplomacy stems from the fact that Asia is home to half the world’s population, has an abundance of resources, and accounts for 48 percent of Korean trade. He said that although the sheer size of the Chinese and Japanese trade markets have given them a relatively stronger foothold in ASEAN nations, Korea will continue to work to expand its own ties with ASEAN members.
 
S.Korea May Join OECD Aid Cmte  (English: MF)
http://english.kbs.co.kr/News/News/News_view.html?page=1&No=67780&id=Po
Summary: The Development Assistance Committee under the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) will hold a special meeting in Paris on November 25th to decide whether to approve South Korea as a new member. Korea joined the OECD in 1996 and has since been admitted to 24 of the 25 organization committees except for the Development Assistance Committee because the nation’s provision of international aid did not reach a certain level.
 
Obama yet to decide to push FTA ratification [English: CSY]
http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2912109
Summary: The Korea-U.S. free trade agreement was discussed for the first time at a White House meeting during the Obama administration, a source told the JoongAng Ilbo.  According to the source, representatives from the State Department and the office of the United States Trade Representative called for quick and decisive push to complete the deal, but Rahm Emanuel, President Barack Obama’s chief of staff, advised a “cautious” approach.
 
The source relayed that the principals meeting was held at the White House with economic and trade officials present. Ahead of Obama’s visit to Korea on Nov. 18, the Korea-U.S. FTA was near the top of the agenda.  During the meeting, the source said, the State Department and the USTR argued that the United States should actively engage Korea to ratify the FTA, which was signed in 2007. But Emanuel, who wasn’t present at the meeting, expressed caution through a staff member in the session.
 
National Assembly ratifies Korea – India CEPA [Korean: BYK]
http://www.munhwa.com/news/view.html?no=20091106010701230950020
Summary: The national Assembly unanimously ratified the Korea-India CEPA today.  With 197 attending the vote, 192 tossed their vote in favor of the ratification.  With today’s ratification by the national Assembly, the Korea-India CEPA will go into effect on January 1, 2010.
 
Businesses call on National Assembly to ratify U.S. FTA[English: CSY]

http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/business/2009/11/18/0502000000AEN

20091118002800320.HTML
Summary: South Korea's major business organizations called on the National Assembly to swiftly ratify a free trade agreement (FTA) with the United States on Wednesday, the day when U.S. President Barack Obama was due in Seoul.  South Korea and the U.S. concluded the deal in 2007, but the approval process by lawmakers in both nations has been slow. The deal needs to be ratified by legislators both in Seoul and Washington to take effect.
 
Congressman Levin urges USTR to do more to open up the Korean Auto market [Korean: BYK]
http://www.ytn.co.kr/_ln/0104_200911180950487715
Summary: Congressman Sander Levin, Chairman of the House Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee, asked U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk for more to be done to open South Korean and Japanese automobile markets.  Actual press release by the Congress man can be found at the following website: http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/mi12_levin/PR110609.shtml
 
Colombia FTA talks closer / Discussions slated to start in Seoul in Dec. [English: CSY]
http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2912762
Summary: Korea and Colombia will launch formal negotiations next month to seal a free trade agreement (FTA) as part of efforts to boost bilateral trade, Seoul’s trade ministry said yesterday.  According to the ministry, both sides will hold their first round of FTA talks in Seoul from Dec. 7 to 9. Bilateral trade reached $1.23 billion in 2008, with Korea’s exports to the South American country reaching $1.09 billion, according to the ministry. Korea’s main export items include cars and electronic goods. The country imports coffee and resources such as coal and nickel from Colombia.
 
Ratification of the KORUS FTA depends on the hands of the 4 key players in U.S. politics.  [Korean: BYK]
http://news.donga.com/3/all/20091123/24293401/1
Summary: The article talks about the four key players in the U.S. Congress that hold the key to the ratification of the KORUS FTA.  They are Sander Levin, Charles Rangel, John Dingell and Nancy Pelosi.
 
S. Korea, Australia to hold 3rd round of free trade talks [English: CSY]

http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/business/2009/11/25/99/0502000000AEN

20091125002300320F.HTML

Summary: South Korea and Australia will hold their third round of free trade negotiations next week, Seoul's trade ministry said Wednesday.  During the five-day negotiations in Canberra, both sides will discuss key issues such as tariff concessions, service and investment, the ministry said.
 
'No Good for US If S. Korea Ratifies FTA With EU First' [English: CSY]
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/biz/2009/11/123_56088.html
Summary: Trade Minister Kim Jong-hoon said Tuesday that it would be in the best interest for Washington to ratify a stalemated free trade accord with Seoul before an agreement between South Korea and the European Union takes effect next year.
 
2. Marketing Issues
 
Dining Out Price Index Continues to Rise for 10 Consecutive years (Korean, OSY)

http://kr.news.yahoo.com/service/news/shellview.htm?articleid=2009110806151011401&linkid=

4&newssetid=1352
Summary: According to the National Statistics Office, the monthly dining out price index, based on price survey on 39 products, showed a 2.7 percent increase in October over the same month of the previous year, continuing a rise since December 1999.  Fried chicken (7.2 percent), pork belly meat (6.1 percent) and chicken ginseng soup (5.5 percent) were the products that showed the largest price increase in October.
 
Former MIFAFF Minister Wun Chun Chung and Deputy Minister for Trade Dong Seok Min summoned by court responsible for the trial of PD Diary  [Korean: BYK]
http://www.newscj.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=25961
Summary: Former MIFAFF Minister and the Deputy Minister for Trade that were involved in the beef negotiations with the United States have been summoned by the court as witnesses to the law suit against PD Diary.  Min stated in a written document that he submitted to the court that because of the false stories that PD Diary had aired, he had lost 30 years of honor that he had built up.
 
Green Grass Market Expects a Rapid Growth due to “Green” Consumer Trends (Korean, OSY)

http://kr.img.search.yahoo.com/search/images?p=%EB%85%B9%EC%83%89+%EB%B0%94%EB%

9E%8C+%ED%83%80%EA%B3%A0+%EC%9E%94%EB%94%94%EC%8B%9C%EC%9E%A5+%ED%

8C%8C%EB%A6%87%ED%8C%8C%EB%A6%87&b=1&oid=6_2009112303000076510_58422167&

subtype=com&target=detail&top=frame

Summary: Demand on green grass is increasing rapidly due to the on-going “well-being” and “environment friendly” consumer trends.  Local farmers of green grass in Jangsung, the center for green grass farms in Korea with 1,500 farms, have reported a 30 percent increase of sales this year compared to the last year.   According to the Korea Forest Service, there are 1,840 farms in Korea that produce green grass and the total yearly sales are estimated at 30 billion won.  The Korea Forest Service plans on establishing a distribution warehouse in 2010 in support of the grass farms.
 
3. Economic Issues
 
Finally Consumers Are Opening Up Their Wallets (Korean, OSY)
http://news.donga.com/Economy/3/01/20091102/23820870/2
Consumption trend statistics indicate that consumer spending is rebounding quickly due to the recovery of the economy.  Overall consumer spending in September 2009 grew 6.7 percent over the same period of the year before.  For example, spending on clothing showed a 15.7 percent of growth.  Spending on furniture grew 3 percent, ending the streak of negative growth for the last 32 months.
 
Inflation Rises Nearly 6%. Over Last 18 Months  (English: MF)
http://english.donga.com/srv/service.php3?biid=2009110306228
Summary: According to the National Statistics Office, the prices of 52 essential goods designated by President Lee Myung-bak rose 5.8 percent on average over the past 18th months.  Of the 52 items, 38, or 73 percent, saw their prices increase. Of the 52, 30 including sugar but excluding public fees managed by the government saw prices rise an average of 8.5 percent.
 
The price rises for Chinese cabbage (37.8 percent), pork (36.2 percent), milk (36.2 percent), sugar (29.9 percent) and cooking oil (24.5 percent) were higher than the average hike in the won-dollar exchange rate (18.3 percent) over the period. The price of certain agro produce including Chinese cabbage gained due to a seasonal hike in demand, but the price of foodstuffs rose a larger portion in tune with the hike in the exchange rate. Nine items saw their prices decline, including green onions (minus 36.1 percent), garlic (minus 2.4 percent), radish (minus 5.9 percent), flour (minus 19.7 percent), and liquefied propane gas (minus 13.9 percent).
 
KDI: South Korean Economy to Expand 5.5% Next year [English: BYK]
http://news.mk.co.kr/outside/view.php?year=2009&no=603061
Summary: The Korea Development Institute (KDI), South Korea’s leading think-tank specialized in economic and social development research, prospected the economy will expand by 5.5 percent next year.  KDI chiefly elevated the prospect from its ‘economic outlook for 2010 (4.2 percent)’ announced in September this year. KDI’s analysis also said the economy will mark a significant ‘v-shape’ rebound next year.
 
Korea ’s economy to grow 6% next year: Moody’s [English: BYK]
http://news.naver.com/main/read.nhn?mode=LSD&mid=sec&sid1=104&oid=044&aid=0000087294
Summary: Moody’s Investor Service said Thursday that the Korean economy will grow around 6 percent next year, adding to growing optimism about the Korean economy’s fast recovery from the global economic downturn.  Moody’s forecast is higher than even what the optimistic Korean government expects.  The state-run Korea Development Institute last week predicted a 5.5 percent growth for Korean economy next year, and the government is expected to hike its 2010 economic projection to around 5 percent from the current 4.  Meanwhile, Samsung Economic Research Institute predicted on Thursday that the country’s economy will grow 4.3 percent next year. SERI previously predicted an economic expansion of 3.9 percent in September. LG Economic Research Institute forecast a 4.3 percent growth in September, while Hyundai Research Institute projected a 3.9 percent growth that month.
 
Korea to become 9th largest exporter in 2009 [Korean: BYK]
http://mbn.mk.co.kr/news/newsRead.php?vodCode=471845&category=mbn00003
Summary: According to KITA, Korea will rank as the 9th largest exporting nation in the world in 2009 although overall export volume dropped over the 2008 level.
 
4. Grain & Oilseed Issues
 
Rice tariffication is the answer to the rice problem [Korean: BYK]

http://news.joins.com/article/aid/2009/10/31/3524908.html?cloc=

olink|article|default

Summary: Jin Kun Sung, former professor of Chungbok University stated in his letter to the editor that rice tariffication is the answer to the problem that Korea is facing with its over-production of rice. 
 
Protests spread to restart N.K. rice aid [English: CSY]

http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/NEWKHSITE/data/html_dir/2009/11/12/200

911120037.asp

Summary: Farmers and opinion leaders are upping pressure on the government to send rice aid to North Korea to keep domestic rice prices from falling further amid a chronic oversupply.  A civic group held a press conference yesterday in central Seoul with a petition signed by 10,000 people urging Seoul to offer rice to the North to stabilize rice prices and improve inter-Korean relations.
 
"Rice is the most suitable item for resumption of humanitarian aid to North Korea as it is the main staple grain for Koreans," said Choi Young-ok, secretary general of the nongovernmental group committed to inter-Korean summit agreements. "The government's offer of 10,000 tons of corn is not nearly enough, and sending imported corn instead of homegrown rice is simply unacceptable for farmers."
 
Bumper rice crop a gut punch to farmers? [English: CSY ]
http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2912517
Summary: The government had predicted another plentiful rice harvest, but it got something else, entirely.  This year has turned out to be one of the biggest bumper crops for rice in terms of tonnage and the most successful one ever in terms of productivity, Statistics Korea reported yesterday.  All that may sound like good news for consumers, but it could turn out to be a headache for the government and a near disaster for farmers.  Statistics Korea, formerly known as the National Statistical Office, said a total of 4.91 million tons of rice was harvested this year, some 73,000 tons more than last year. In 2004, 5.0 million tons of rice was harvested.
 
30 thousand farmers protest against plummeting rice prices [English: CSY]
Farmers are asking the South Korean government to resume rice aid to North Korea and to reform Nonghyup
http://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_national/388346.html
Summary: Approximately 30 thousand South Korean farmers convened together for a National Farmers’ Convention to ask the government to address plummeting rice prices on Tuesday.   A total of 13 farmers’ organizations including the Korea Peasant League (KPL) hosted the convention together in order to ask the government to resolve the problem of plummeting rice prices and to reform the Nonghyup, or National Agricultural Cooperative Federation.
 
The participants said, “The government has exhibited irresponsible behavior in that it has not formulated a policy to help address the issue of plummeting rice prices.” The participants are also asking the government to resume rice aid to North Korea and said, “The main cause of plummeting rice prices is the government’s decision not to send rice aid to North Korea.” The participants added, “During the previous administration, 400 thousand tons of rice were sent to North Korea annually, whereas the current administration has stocked up over 800 thousand tons of rice.” They say the excess reserves of rice are one of main causes of the steep decline in the price of rice.
 
Korea to Expand Overseas Agriculture Aid [English: CSY]
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/biz/2009/11/123_55639.html
Summary: South Korea has decided to increase agricultural aid to developing countries suffering from chronic food shortages, government officials said Tuesday. In a keynote address at a food security meeting of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Rome, Italy, Monday, Minister of Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Chang Tae-pyong said South Korea will donate 150,000 tons of rice to the Asian Emergency Food Reserve Program. The pledge was made by President Lee Myung-bak at last month's ASEAN+3 Summit.  The agriculture minister also confirmed the country will provide $100 million in aid over the next three years to help improve food security issues for developing economies, at a meeting of the U.N. Millennium Development Goals in September.
 
National Statistical Office released the revised 2009 rice production at 4.92 million metric tons, up 234,000 metric tons from the previous estimate based on September 15 crop survey.  (Korean: CSC)
http://www.nongmin.com/article/ar_detail.htm?ar_id=168204&subMenu=articletotal
 
5. Livestock Issues
 
Local Beef Recovers 50 Percent Market Share (Korean, OSY)

http://kr.news.yahoo.com/service/news/shellview.htm?linkid=447&articleid=2009110407110082101&

newssetid=463

Summary: According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fishery, the share of the Korea beef market taken by locally produced beef this year through September marked 50 percent, the highest level since 2000 (52.7 percent).  Out of the total of 288,300 tons of beef consumed between January through September this year, 144,100 tons was locally produced beef.  Reflecting strong sales of local beef, the total number of beef cattle raised in Korea has increased sharply over the months to 2.7 million, approaching the all time high level recorded in 1997.
 
Origin Labeling Regulation Expands Sales of Local Beef (Korean, OSY)

http://kr.news.yahoo.com/service/news/shellview.htm?linkid=447&articleid=2009110501294472619&

newssetid=463

Summary: Locally produced beef has recovered 50 percent market share this year through September.  Industry analysts agree that strengthened origin labeling regulation that mandated meat origin labeling in restaurants as well as in retail stores (went into effect in July 2008) has made a significant contribution to the sales growth of local beef as the regulation helped the local consumers, who still maintained a negative image about imported beef due to mad cow disease issue, feel safe and confident about the quality of locally produced beef.
 
Korea receives recognition from OECD that its PSE is lower than what it appears to be [Korean: BYK]
http://news.naver.com/main/read.nhn?mode=LSD&mid=sec&sid1=001&oid=001&aid=0002958693&
Summary: Korea received recognition from OECD that it was not providing any production subsidy for domestic cattle other than the duty.  Thus, the PSE for cattle has dropped from an average of 62% for the period 2001-2007 to 29%.  This has also dropped the PSE for all agricultural products from 62% to 58%.
 
Seventy one percent of Taiwanese wants renegotiation of U.S. beef import protocol [Korean: BYK]
http://news.naver.com/main/read.nhn?mode=LSD&mid=sec&sid1=001&oid=001&aid=0002957553&
Summary: Over 70 percent of the Taiwanese want a renegotiation of the beef import protocol established with the United States.  However, the current Taiwanese Administration is opposing such renegotiation and also is stating that it does not see any need to vote for such movement.
 
Downers to be prohibited from being slaughtered [Korean: BYK]
http://www.cbs.co.kr/nocut/Show.asp?IDX=1308704
Summary: MIFAFF will prohibit the slaughtering of downer cattle from November 9, 2009, when the revised Act on Processing of Livestock Products goes into effect.  All downer cattle will be prohibited from being slaughtered outside the slaughter plants and as for those in the slaughter plants, downers that are proven to be caused by external injuries at the slaughter plants, etc., will be allowed to be slaughtered on a case-by-case basis.  Samples will be taken from downers that have been prohibited from being slaughtered and be tested for BSE.  The remaining of the downers after taking the samples will be buried or incinerated so that it is not used for food purposes.  MIFAFF will compensate the owners of the downer cattle.
 
Professor Won-Mok Choi asserts that Korea should try to reach a compromise with Canada on the WTO beef dispute [Korean: BYK]
http://www.nongmin.com/article/ar_detail.htm?ar_id=168278&subMenu=articletotal
Summary: Professor Choi of Ehwa Women University asserted that Korea should look into the possibility of reaching a compromise with Canada on the beef case rather than going all the way with the DSP.  He said that Korea could end up loosing more if it lost the fight in the DSP.  MIFAFF declined to comment about Professor Choi’s comments.
 
NVRQS to reveal detailed information about imported beef that failed to pass quarantine inspection [Korean: BYK]
http://www.ytn.co.kr/_ln/0103_200911200636415772
Summary: After the ruling by the Seoul high court that it was illegal for NVRQS not to release the information pertaining to imported beef that had failed to pass inspection and after the ROKG decided not to appeal to the Supreme Court, this information will become public soon. 
 
U.S. Beef Plants continue to violate import protocol [Korean: BYK]
http://news.khan.co.kr/kh_news/khan_art_view.html?artid=200911200314355&code=920100
Summary: According to the information that NVRQS provided to National Assemblyman Ki Gap Kang, U.S. beef export plants are continuously violating the beef import protocol.  Plants with over 3 violations were 9 establishments, while those with at least one violation were 24 establishments.  Tyson Foods (245E) which is the largest beef company in the United States marked the highest level of violation with 17 violations.  Kang asserted that even if these violations were minor violations, the fact that one plant is having so many violations is proof that there is a systematic problem.  NGOs are stating that this is a matter of sovereignty in quarantine inspection.
 
Major Discount Stores in Taiwan to refuse to sell U.S. beef cuts that is controversial [Korean: BYK]
http://www.hani.co.kr/arti/international/asiapacific/389149.html
Summary: The four major discount stores in Taiwan, including COSTCO and Carrefour announced that it would not sell U.S. beef cuts that are controversial.  Also the NGO that is opposing the new import protocol has collected over 130,000 signatures which exceeds the minimum of 86,000 signatures needed for asking for a national referendum. 
 
Korea Denies Resumption of Canadian Beef Imports [English: CSY]
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/biz/2009/11/123_56119.html
Summary: The Ministry of Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries denied reports from some local newspapers that South Korea is likely to resume beef imports from Canada next year. The ministry said in a statement Wednesday that it will actively respond to Canada's appeal to the World Trade Organization (WTO) on Korea's ban on Canadian beef, saying, "Currently the government is preparing for possible WTO panel hearings."
 
Earlier, some media outlets speculated that Seoul is preparing for negotiations with Ottawa on lifting the beef import ban, under the judgment that the trade-governing body is likely to take Canada's side in the case.  A three-man dispute panel was formed by the WTO in August, at the request of Canada. Processes are under discussion within the panel, and are expected to speed up early next year.
 
U.S. beef sales signals shift in consumption [English: BYK]
http://news.naver.com/main/read.nhn?mode=LSD&mid=sec&sid1=104&oid=044&aid=0000087271
Summary: Korea’s demand for U.S. beef has declined one year after the meat re-appeared on the market shelves of leading local retailers following a resumption of imports in July 2008.  E-Mart, Home plus and Lotte Mart, the nation’s top-three discount store chains, said consumer interest in U.S. beef has been weakening since they began selling the product on Nov. 27 last year, after about a five-year absence.  American beef was the preferred choice of imported beef before Korea banned the meat in 2003 after an outbreak of mad cow disease. Korea had also been the world’s third-largest export destination of U.S. beef because of its competitive price.  "We believe the slowing consumption is a sign of a stabilizing the U.S. beef market here, because re-access to U.S. beef after a long absence would have naturally generated eager consumers in the beginning," Lee Nam-kwon, a spokesman of Shinsegae Co’s E-Mart, told The Korea Herald.  "But the fervor now is dying and the market is seeing a segment of steady and loyal buyers of American beef take root," he stressed.
 
Mexican Beef at Save Zone [English: BYK]
http://news.naver.com/main/read.nhn?mode=LSD&mid=sec&sid1=001&oid=044&aid=0000087339&
Summary: Mexican beef is now officially on sale at all Save Zone Shopping Centers in the country.  Previously, Mexican beef was sold to restaurants but now it has moved over to the general consumer market.  To spark consumers` interest, the Mexican airline Aeromexico and JC Penney are offering a free roundtrip ticket to Cancun, Mexico, which will be given in a raffle to those shoppers who purchase Mexican beef before tomorrow.  Furthermore, a delegation from the Mexican Beef Exporters Association headed by President Reynaldo Tovar representing Carnes Viba, a meat exporting company, attended the launching ceremony last week.
 
6. North Korea Issues
 
'NK Expects Food Shortage to Worsen Next Yr'  (English: MF)
http://english.kbs.co.kr/News/News/News_view.html?No=67689&id=IK
Summary: The North Korean Agriculture Ministry predicts the North's food situation will worsen next year.
 
Main opposition party demands rice, fertilizer aid to N. Korea [English: CSY]

http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/national/2009/11/04/77/0301000000AEN

20091104002900315F.HTML

Summary: South Korea's main opposition Democratic Party (DP) on Wednesday urged the Lee Myung-bak government to entirely change its North Korea policy and resume rice and fertilizer assistance.  DP floor leader Lee Kang-rae said in his parliamentary speech that massive rice shipments to the communist North are inevitable in order to address the problem of falling rice prices in the South.
 
N. Korea Asks S. Korean Civic Groups for Food Aid [English: CSY]
http://english.donga.com/srv/service.php3?bicode=050000&biid=2009110542818
Summary: North Korea has asked South Korean civic organizations for urgent food aid, but it has not answered Seoul’s proposal to provide 10,000 tons of corn made Oct. 26.   A civic organization official said yesterday, “The Inter-Korean Reconciliation Council under the (North Korean) Workers’ Party recently spoke to South Korean civic organizations in China, and asked them to provide food aid. It even asked them to send food even if just 50 to 100 tons. It seems the North will not refuse any support even if the amount is far smaller than expected.”   Accordingly, several South Korean civic organizations have begun preparing food aid for the North. More South Koreans have also visited the North to discuss food assistance.
 
7. Other Miscellaneous Issues
 
Korea to Make 'Makgeolli,' Pork Global Hit Products [English: CSY]
Minister Hopes Agriculture Will Be More Profitable
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2009/10/135_54502.html
Summary: For Chang Tae-pyong, minister of food, agriculture, forestry and fisheries, the current state-led campaign for globalizing Korean food is part of a big picture. The approach is linked to his bigger ambition ― to make Korean agriculture a lucrative industry.  He plans to actively foster "makgeolli," the nation's traditional rice wine, and several other products as global hit items.
 
Gov't Holds 1st Meeting on Afghan PRT (English: MF)
http://english.kbs.co.kr/News/News/News_view.html?page=1&No=67811&id=Po
Summary: The first inter-ministerial meeting was held Monday to discuss Korea's planned dispatch of a provincial reconstruction team (PRT) to Afghanistan. The ministries involved discussed the time of dispatch and the composition and duty of a joint government inspection team to prepare for the forming of the PRT. The inspection team, scheduled for dispatch this month, will hold talks with the Afghan government and NATO officials to decide where to send the PRT, its size and the number of troops that will be required for protection.
 
Korean Rice Wine Sees Renaissance  (English: MF)
http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2009/11/03/2009110302001.html 
Summary: Korea is seeing a renaissance of traditional rice wine or makgeolli. Last year, some 175,000 kl of makgeolli was sold, and sales are expected to top 200,000 kl this year.
 
Korea ’s goal for Carbon dioxide by 4% 0[English: BYK]
http://news.mk.co.kr/outside/view.php?year=2009&no=574351
Summary: It has been reported on November 5 that the South Korean government is highly likely to opt for the nation’s greenhouse gas reduction target of 4 percent by 2020 against its 2005 emission scale in mid-November.  The 4 percent target is the maximum reduction scale required by the international community to developing countries which have no binding reduction obligation. South Korean enterprises are stiffly criticizing the plan.  “Among three options we have put on the table, an option for the greatest reduction target of 4 percent is most likely to be voted,” and said, “We believe that it is the right direction when looking at a bigger picture of national
 
Government to reduce 30% of emissions over a decade [English: CSY]
Officials want to lead world in taming global warming
http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2912722
Summary: Korea yesterday pledged a 30 percent cut in its projected carbon emissions by 2020.  Ahead of the climate change conference in Copenhagen next month, the Lee Myung-bak administration unveiled its goal, vowing to act aggressively and pre-emptively to fight global warming. The voluntary target-setting aims to give the nation an important role as a bridge between developed and emerging economies in international negotiations, the Blue House said.
 
Flu Scare Leads to Record Sales of TV Home-Shopping and On-line Shopping Segments (Korean, OSY)
http://news.donga.com/Economy/3/01/20091110/23993247/2
Summary: According to National Statistics Office, monthly sales of TV home-shopping segment in September grew 44 percent over the same period of the previous year to reach 569 billion won.  Monthly sales of internet on-line shopping segment also showed a 28 percent growth to a record 1.8 trillion won.  However, traditional retailers reported stagnant sales.  Monthly sales of large scale stores grew a lukewarm 2.1 percent to 2.7 trillion won while grocery supermarkets reported a 3.5 percent decline to 2 trillion won.
 
Korea to Foster Fish Farms, Cooperate With Pacific Island Nations for Tuna Supply [English: CSY]
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/biz/2009/11/123_55207.html
Summary: South Korea will introduce a plan to foster the farming of tuna, one of its main fishery exports.  To better deal with growing international restrictions on tuna fishing, the country will support other coastal countries to secure their tuna resources and develop ways to farm the fish, the Ministry of Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries said Tuesday.
 
Korea seeks cheap land overseas to grow food [English: CSY]
http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2912601
Summary: Local provincial governments are working hard to develop farmland in other countries because it’s more cost-effective than relying on imports.  Land overseas in the Maritime Province of Russia in East Siberia, Cambodia and the Philippines is large and cheap, officials explain.  The latest land deal announced last Monday involves state funding starting next year for Korean companies to buy massive tracts of land in South America.  
The government said it is considering investing 29.9 billion won ($25.8 million) in Paraguay and Uruguay.
 
The ROKG considers introducing the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) as soon as 2013 [Korean: CSY]
http://news.naver.com/main/read.nhn?mode=LSD&mid=sec&sid1=101&oid=001&aid=0002976131
Summary: On November 16, the Ministry of Knowledge and Economy (MKE) announced that the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), which is the mandatory biofuel blending requirement for all transportation fuels is under discussion to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions and the ROKG also expects the introduction of RFS for transportation fuel will be possible as soon as 2013.
 
Korean consumers don’t have faith on Government’s food safety control measures [Korean: BYK]
http://www.nongmin.com/article/ar_detail.htm?ar_id=168266&subMenu=articletotal
Summary: According to a survey conducted by MIFAFF, consumers replied that Japan was doing the best job in maintaining the food safety control, followed by Canada, Australia, United States, Europe and Korea.  Among those surveyed, 81.2% were aware of COOL, 74.7% were aware of the COOL in the restaurants, 62.2% were aware of the beef traceability and 52.3% were aware of the environment friendly certification system.  As for the confidence on the safety of Korea products, 69.6% had confidence on Korean agricultural products, 67.4% for livestock products, 63% for fishery products and 36.9% for processed food products.  The confidence levels for imported products were respectively, 7.9%, 7.4%, 5.5% and 6.4%.
 
S. Korea eyes tangerine exports to U.S. in 2010 [English: CSY]

http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/business/2009/11/17/27/0501000000AEN

20091117007900320F.HTML

Summary: South Korea is pushing to export tangerines to the United States next year as part of a wider effort to expand the overseas market for its farm products, the government said Wednesday.  The National Plant Quarantine Service (NPQS) said it has made headway in talks with U.S. officials on shipping the citrus fruit to the U.S. after new year.
 
Mandatory Nutritional Labeling at Fast Food Restaurants [Korean: CSA]

http://korea.kr/newsWeb/pages/brief/categoryNews2/view.do?newsDataId=148679479&category_id=

subject§ion_id=EDS0204005&call_from=extlink

Summary) On November 18, KFDA announced a draft labeling standards for children’s preferred food products served in restaurants.  In accordance with the Special Act on Children’s Food, restaurants that sell bakery goods, ice cream, hamburgers, and pizzas and that have more than 100 outlets country wide will be required to provide nutritional information in the menu.  For this, KFDA drafted labeling standards and announced for public comments.  The draft standards require that calories be indicated surrounding a name of food or price on the menu and other relevant nutritional information be provided using a leaflet, internet, posture and other means.  This new requirements will be implemented from Jan 2010.  KFDA plants to continuously expand the nutritional labeling requirements in restaurants.
 
Soju makers fined [English: CSY]
http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2912752
Korea ’s antitrust watchdog will fine 11 local liquor manufacturers more than 200 billion won ($173.3 million) for rigging soju prices, the companies said yesterday.  Jinro and other makers of soju, a popular Korean distilled beverage made from rice and other starches, have been notified of the punitive step by the Fair Trade Commission, according to the companies. The FTC said it cannot confirm or deny the reports.  The FTC will fine Jinro the largest amount at 116.2 billion won, followed by Doosan, Daesun and Kumbokju, which have been slapped with 24.6 billion won, 20.6 billion won and 17.2 billion won fines, respectively.
 
Over 50% of Korea’s food is imported [English: CSY]
http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2912958
Summary: Korea imports over half the food it consumes, according to the Ministry for Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries yesterday. The ministry said Korea’s overall self-sufficiency rate for food was 49.2 percent last year. That fell to 26.2 percent when limited to grains. The types of food measured included grains, dairy products, meat and animal feed.
 
Wheat, corn and beans were the most heavily imported foodstuffs. Only 0.4 percent of wheat consumed in Korea last year was cultivated locally, with the corresponding figures for corn and beans 0.9 percent and 7.1 percent, respectively. Only rice, the main local staple, production of which the government has systematically supported, had high self-sufficiency - 94.4 percent.
 
Korea relies on 10 major partners for 60% of trade [English: BYK]
http://news.naver.com/main/read.nhn?mode=LSD&mid=sec&sid1=104&oid=044&aid=0000087268
Summary : The portion of Korea’s two-way trade with 10 major countries is still high, despite efforts to diversify its trading partners, a government report showed yesterday.  According to a Korea Customs Service report, Korea’s top 10 trading partners including China, the United States and Japan, accounted for more than 60 percent of the country’s trade during the first 10 months of this year.  Exports to the 10 countries totaled $179.2 billion or 61 percent of the total, the customs office said. About 75 percent of shipments were sent to the top 20 countries, it added.  China was Korea’s No.1 trading partner with $69.4 billion, or 23.6 percent of the total exports shipped to the world’s soon-to-be largest economy.
 
Whiskey with 36.5 Percent Alcohol Content Launched which Reflects On-going Trend of Favoring Weaker Liquor (Korean, OSY)
http://news.donga.com/Economy/New/3/01/20091125/24337374/2&top=1
Summary: Sooseok Co., Ltd. launched a new whiskey “Golden Blue” on November 24 that contains only 36.5 percent alcohol.  No other whiskey ever sold in Korea contained less than 40 percent alcohol, as “Scotch Whiskey” seal is allowed on product with 40 percent or higher alcohol content.