hankyoreh

By Jung Eun-joo　
　　
A WikiLeaks cable released on Sept. 14 revealed that then-chief trade negotiator Kim Jong-hoon said that separate negotiations for the South Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA) on opening rice markets with the United States could take place after rice markets had been opened. The comments from Kim, currently South Korea’s Trade Minister came immediately after the official signing of the KORUS FTA in August 2007.
This is understood as effectively constituting a promise of special favors regarding rice tariffs and further market opening for the United States in exchange for the conclusion of the KORUS FTA. This was similar in manner to the controversial reopening of South Korea’s beef market. In 2007, after negotiations for the KORUS FTA concluded, the government said it had protected rice.
U.S. State Department diplomatic cables made public by whistleblowing site WikiLeaks show that Kim met Democratic Party Congressman Earl Pomeroy, a member of the House of Representatives’ committee that was deliberating the KORUS FTA, and U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Alexander Vershbow.
Pomeroy said to Kim, “California grain traders are protesting that the KORUS FTA excludes rice,” and pointed out that the rice issue needed to be resolved before Congress ratified the agreement. In response, Kim stated, “We can’t touch the rice issue at the moment because South Korean politicians regard farmers as socially vulnerable and has strong protectionist policies for them.” He then said, “But when the WTO’s grace period on rice tariffs expires in 2014 the Korean government will discuss this again [with the United States].” 　
Accordingly, pressure from the United States to lower tariffs is expected to increase from 2015 with the opening of rice markets.
　　
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