In the tariff negotiations, beef and rice were protected... but quarantine discussions remain a task.

(Seoul=Yonhap News) Reporter Sin Seon-mi = Although the government has prevented additional opening of agricultural and livestock products in the Korea-U.S. tariff negotiations by protecting the rice and beef markets, agricultural organizations are still keeping a wary eye on the situation. This is because further detailed negotiations regarding non-tariff barriers such as agricultural quarantine between the two countries may still take place. According to the Presidential Office and trade authorities on the 3rd, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Koo Yoon-cheol, who is the chief representative of the negotiation team, held a local briefing in Washington DC on the 31st of last month and said, "The U.S. side has agreed not to make additional market openings, understanding the sensitivity of our agriculture." Deputy Prime Minister Koo added, "In relation to non-tariff barriers, negotiations will continue on technical matters including the improvement of quarantine procedures and the abolition of the upper limit for the recognition of automobile safety standards equivalence." Agricultural organizations are taking a cautious stance, stating that they will observe the contents of the additional negotiations. The farmers remain uneasy as the U.S. has strongly demanded the reduction of non-tariff barriers and the expansion of market opening for Korean agricultural and livestock products, and because it is known that U.S. President Donald Trump has inquired about Korea's quarantine procedures for fruits and vegetables. The Korea Comprehensive Agricultural Organizations Council, consisting of six agricultural organizations, previously issued a statement saying, "We need to closely watch the improvement of quarantine procedures and other non-tariff barriers" and urged the government to continue responsible negotiations while communicating with the agricultural sector. The National Hanwoo Association also issued a statement requesting, "The government should clearly state that food sovereignty and the right to health of the people are not subjects for negotiation or compromise in response to the U.S.'s continuous demands for the reduction of non-tariff barriers and the expansion of market opening." The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs views the negotiation on the improvement of quarantine procedures as a step to strengthen cooperation with the U.S. Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Minister Song Mi-ryeong answered questions from opposition and ruling party members at the National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee plenary meeting on the 1st, "The term 'improvement' in relation to quarantine procedures is understood to mean strengthening communication and emphasizing the scientific enhancement of the 8-step quarantine procedure."

(Seoul=Yonhap News) Reporter Shin Seon-mi = Although the government has prevented additional opening of agricultural and livestock products in the Korea-U.S. tariff negotiations, including protecting the rice and beef markets, agricultural groups are still keeping a wary eye on the situation. This is because further discussions on non-tariff barriers related to agricultural product quarantines between the two countries may still take place. According to the Presidential Office and trade authorities on the 3rd, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Koo Yun-cheol, the chief negotiator, held a local briefing in Washington, D.C. on the last 31st of last month and said, "The U.S. side understands the sensitivity of our agriculture and has agreed not to make additional market openings." Deputy Prime Minister Koo added, "In relation to non-tariff barriers, discussions on technical matters, including improving quarantine procedures and abolishing the upper limit for ...