Shin Junghoon: "Farmers and Fishermen Must Not Be Sacrificed Again in Korea-US Trade Talks"

"Beef, Apple, and Rice Negotiation Cards Are Anachronistic Ideas"

Shin Junghoon, member of the Democratic Party of Korea.

Shin Junghoon, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea representing Naju and Hwasun in South Jeolla Province, strongly criticized the government on July 20 for reportedly considering the removal of the beef age limit, opening the market to apple imports, and expanding rice import quotas as negotiation cards in the recent Korea-US trade talks. He called these ideas "anachronistic attempts to once again make farmers and fishermen the sacrificial victims of trade negotiations."

Shin stated, "The Lee Jaeyoung administration has presented itself as a government that prioritizes the livelihoods of the people. However, the negotiation cards currently being considered by some in the Office of Trade Negotiations and the negotiation team threaten the very foundation of the nation's dinner table and represent anti-livelihood attempts to completely suffocate rural communities."

He went on to say, "The beef import age limit is directly linked to the safety of the public's food, and opening the market to rice and apples would inflict irreparable and severe damage on domestic farming households. If the government negotiation team is treating such critical livelihood issues as bargaining chips, this is an unforgivable mistake."

He also emphasized, "We have already paid a painful price through several rounds of FTA negotiations. The sacrifices have always fallen on farmers and fishermen, and the era of boasting diplomatic achievements at the expense of their suffering must come to an end. The nation's food security must no longer be used as a bargaining tool in negotiations."

In particular, he asserted, "If the Lee Jaemyung administration truly wishes to be a government for the people and one that stands with rural communities, it must immediately and thoroughly reconsider the current direction of the Office of Trade Negotiations. The government must listen to the voices of farmers and fishermen and explain its position clearly to the public."

On July 21, Shin added, "Agricultural policy is not just a simple industry; it is the foundation of the nation's survival and the last bastion of food sovereignty. The government must remember the tears of farmers and fishermen. Protecting them is synonymous with protecting the Republic of Korea, and this must never be forgotten."