Lawmaker raises FTA suspicions
Korea Times
Lawmaker Raises FTA Suspicions
By Lee Jin-woo, Staff Reporter
9 April 2007
A lawmaker of the pro-government Uri Party Monday raised various suspicions over the landmark free trade agreement (FTA) deal struck between South Korea and the United States on April 2.
Rep. Choi Sung asked Prime Minister Han Duck-soo whether the South Korean government had failed to protect its rice and beef markets from the U.S. during an interpellation session at the National Assembly.
The Roh Moo-hyun administration has claimed they have succeeded in protecting the local rice market by excluding the issue from the FTA agenda,'' Choi said.But a ranking South Korean official said late last week that some 50 percent of the current tariffs on steamed and dried uncooked rice as well as rice seeds would be lifted within the next 10 years,’’ he said.
Choi warned the government would face a backlash from the public should the claim be proven true.
The lawmaker also questioned whether Roh and U.S. President George W. Bush had some backdoor deal over South Korea’s import of U.S. beef.
The U.S. Congress warned last Wednesday it would not sign the FTA with South Korea unless Seoul showed a clear path'' toward fully reopening its beef market.
Seoul's ban on American beef over fears of mad cow disease had not been officially part of the FTA agenda despite the 14 months of negotiations. Some U.S. lawmakers have threatened to block ratification of the deal unless the issue is resolved.
Choi also questioned whether South Korea agreed to ease the quarantine inspection process for importing living modified organism (LMO) material from the U.S.There are rumors that the two countries exchanged views on six issues over the import of LMO material,’’ the lawmaker said.
LMO is defined in the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety as any living organism that possesses a novel combination of genetic material obtained through the use of modern biotechnology. Examples of modified crops include tomatoes, cassava, corn, cotton and soybeans, according to a U.N. Web site.
Choi also questioned whether the government had made any meaningful promise to the U.S. regarding the opening of the domestic education market.
