US-Korea Trade Negotiations Signal Agricultural Market Opening... Beef Farmers Protest "Are We the Sacrificial Lambs Again?"

On the 14th, when Yeo Han-gu, the Director-General of Trade Negotiations at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy leading negotiations with the United States, made remarks suggesting additional market opening in the agricultural sector during a briefing on key outcomes of Korea-U.S. trade negotiations, the National Cattle Farmers Association immediately issued a statement and raised strong objections. Yeo Han-gu stated during the trade negotiation briefing that "in all negotiations, there has never been a trade negotiation without pain in the agricultural sector, but we have still strengthened industrial competitiveness" and that "it is now time to make a strategic judgment in the agricultural sector, protecting sensitive areas while considering aspects within the overall negotiation framework." In response, the National Cattle Farmers Association issued a statement saying this "suggests the government may further ease import barriers for agricultural and livestock products" ...