(Sejong=Yonhap News) Reporter Kim Yun-gu = Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries Song Mi-ryeong reiterated the government's position that sensitive agricultural and livestock products such as rice and beef will not be further opened up in relation to the results of the Korea-US trade negotiations, and emphasized the need to secure the competitiveness of Korean agriculture.
Minister Song explained in the first press briefing since being retained in the Lee Jae-myung administration, "The US had high demands for agricultural opening, but the government as a whole actively negotiated and finalized the negotiations without opening up sensitive rice and beef. Although it will go through the stage of being specified in the final document form, it has been agreed that the agricultural sector will not be further opened up."
He continued, "We have avoided a downpour for now, but we don't know how long we can defend the market or what will happen in the future, so we need to prepare in advance."
He emphasized, "We need to secure the competitiveness of our agriculture and not rely too much on the US, and diversify the export market. This is the lesson from the trade negotiations."
Minister Song said, "To increase the competitiveness of the fruit and vegetable industry, we have to communicate with farmers and prepare."
Referring to the point that the US mentions Korea's restrictions on beef imports from cattle under 30 months of age as a non-tariff barrier in its annual report, Minister Song anticipated, "The pressure will continue."
Regarding the expectation that the quarantine negotiation process for the import of US apples, etc., may accelerate, Minister Song explained that the US sees the quarantine negotiation, which evaluates the risk of pests and diseases, as taking too long. To strengthen communication, the government decided to establish a US desk, that is, a dedicated US staff member.
He explained, "There are personnel in charge of continents in the quarantine headquarters, and (the US desk) will be a contact point. It is to show the intention of strengthening communication."
He added, "We will introduce artificial intelligence (AI) technology into the quarantine negotiation process to enhance scientific analysis capabilities."
Minister Song said it was difficult to say how much faster the import quarantine process would be, "There are eight stages in the quarantine negotiation, and it is impossible to simplify the stages, so we will improve the process by strengthening communication..."