Rice Deal: “Death Sentence” For S. Korean Farmers

“I understand that [European Enterprises] are experiencing various difficulties in the process of doing business in Korea where the system and the practices are different from yours.” “To address this problem, the Ministry of Labor is developing and implementing various polices to create a business-friendly environment.” “Foreign investment promotes domestic investment and contributes to employment security through creation of new jobs.” “…by designating economic free zones and easing various regulations, in order to induce increased foreign investment.” “The government aims at establishing rational industrial relations to build the foundation for sustainable social development.” “The government is also making efforts in terms of system and policies to improve the flexibility of the labor market…” “…social rationalization, a basis for industrialization and democratization, has been insufficient so far.” “…trade unions, as they gained more rights and power, started to become excessively political as they focused on claiming their ‘collective rights.’” “The government plans to prepare a bill that meets the international standards reflecting public opinions, and submit it to the National Assembly this year.” “The proportion of the unemployed youth out of total unemployment (843,000) is 42.0 percent, and the youth unemployment rate is 2.1 times higher than the overall unemployment rate of 3.6 percent.” “To change the seniority-based wage system into the one based on duty and performance, the government has established Wage and Duty Innovation Center, and is seeking to develop and distribute an appropriate model such as the wage peak system.” “…I would like to suggest you to provide internship opportunities to our youths in EU companies located in and outside Korea…” (emphasis added).

• Kim Dae-Hwan, South Korean Labor Minister, EUCCK Seminar, Shilla Hotel, 10/06/05.

“Seoul to Create Good Ambience for Investment,” Seoul Times, 11/25/05.

“If South Korea doesn't ratify the rice deal it promised to the international community, its standing, image and credibility will be undermined.”

• Ban Ki Moon, South Korean minister of foreign affairs and trade.

“Today is the day the National Assembly of South Korea gave a death sentence to 3.5 million farmers.”

• Kwon Young Ghil, Democratic Labor Party leader.

Choe Sang-hun. “South Korea Ratifies Pact on Rice Imports,” International Herald Tribune, 111/24/05.

“Failure to implement the deal before the year's end would bring a tariff system that would open the market entirely to foreign rice as well as a possibility that some countries might file a complaint with the WTO on the issue.”

• Kim Boo-kyum, Uri Party vice floor leader.

Joo Sang-min. “S. Korean lawmakers set to vote on rice import deal,” Yonhap News, 11/23/05.

“As a member of the global trade body, it was Korea’s duty to accept and implement the agreed terms as soon as possible so as not to lose credibility on the international stage.”
“The immediate effect of the rice bill, finally, is Korea gaining its international credibility.”

• Lee Chang-soo, agricultural policy researcher at the Korea Institute for International Economic Policy.

“Once consumers have the chance to choose from a wider selection at the market, an immediate issue will be how they respond to imported rice,” “If Korean consumers come to trust imported rice by discovering they like the taste and quality, price wouldn’t really matter. The price could even be the same as domestic rice.”

• Suh Jin-kyo, agricultural policy researcher, Korea Rural Economic Institute.

Yoo Soh-jung. “Rice from Foreign Countries to hit local retail outlets,” Korea Herald, 11/24/05.