South Korean Farmers Protest Against Free Trade Agreement with U.S.

[leftstreet]

South Korean Farmers Protest Against Free Trade Agreement with U.S.
2010-12-08

South Korean farmers staged a protest on Wednesday, urging their government to abolish the U.S. - South Korea free trade agreement.

Seoul and Washington negotiators struck a deal last Friday on the long-delayed pact, which was signed in 2007, but had not been ratified for three years because of U.S. auto and beef industry concerns.

South Korean farmers have opposed the free trade agreement with the U.S., fearing it would harm both agricultural producers and cattle farmers.

South Korea's agricultural ministry said this month the country has imported 4.6 billion dollars worth of agricultural products from the U.S.

http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/ns_asia/2010-12-08/539401636215.html

Getty Images SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA - DECEMBER 08: South Korean farmers burn a figure of a symbolizing Anti-FTA during a rally to protest against the South Korean Free Trade agreement (FTA) with the USA at Seoul Railway Station on December 8, 2010 in Seoul, South Korea. President Barack Obama cited his pleasure at the resolution of outstanding issues over the deal last week, a deal expected to increase American goods exported to South Korea by up to USD11 billion. The 2007-signed FTA had been held up due to concerns over auto and beef industries, with Obama hoping the new pact will be a model for future FTAs.




Getty Images SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA - DECEMBER 08: South Korean farmers take part in a rally to protest against the South Korean Free Trade agreement (FTA) with the USA at Seoul Railway Station on December 8, 2010 in Seoul, South Korea. President Barack Obama cited his pleasure at the resolution of outstanding issues over the deal last week, a deal expected to increase American goods exported to South Korea by up to USD11 billion. The 2007-signed FTA had been held up due to concerns over auto and beef industries, with Obama hoping the new pact will be a model for future FTAs.

[Catherina]

1. They're never going to get the genie back in the bottle. n/t

[leftstreet]

2. no kidding n/t