Korea Faces Full-Scale Opening for Agricultural Market

In a New Round negotiation of the World Trade Organization (WTO), it becomes difficult to keep Korea`s developing country status that has given benefits in agricultural sector.

Hwang Doo-Yun, Minister of Korea said, ``The United States and the Cairns group strongly insist on the rapid opening of the agricultural markets, but Korea, together with the other Non-Trade Concerns (NTC) group, opposes against their request due to the political sensitivity of agricultural industry and the farmer`s backlash.`` in Doha, Qatar, yesterday.

Instead of the NTC group countries`s, including Korea, request for the gradual market approach on agricultural sector, the U.S. and the Cairns group argue for the drastic opening of agricultural markets and put their position into the second draft of the fourth WTO Ministerial Conference Declaration.

The U.S. and the Cairns group countries are considering to invalidate Korea`s developing country status and the postponement of tariff on rice, which has been bestowed upon a result of Uruguay Round negotiation, if Korea opposes against the drastic opining of the agricultural markets.

Although Korea emphasizes the non-trade characters of the agricultural industry, such as food security and environmental preservation etc., the draft of the declaration mentions these issues on the level of mere declaration with the expression of `may be considerable`.

Jang Won-Seuk (professor of Dankuk University), The Standing Chairperson of Executive Committee of The WTO People`s Alliance, who is attending at the meeting as the Head of the Korean Delegation of Non-Government Organization, said, ``Korean government`s opinion on agricultural sector was not at all reflected upon the draft of Ministerial Declaration. When trade is considered as a war, Korea governmental delegation is dealing with the negotiations at ease.``

After his meeting with the negotiation officials, including the Deputy Director-General of the WTO Miguel Rodriguez, Professor Jang reported that it will be difficult for Korea to keep its developing country status and its postponement of tariff on rice.

Unlike an individual settlement method, which draws conclusion through a negotiation based on a separate issue, this year`s WTO Minsterial Conference will take a package settlement method, which deals all the issues together. Therefore, the NTC countries` contention on the special character of the agricultural industry will not be recognized by other countries because of the NTC group`s inferiority in negotiation power and numbers than the Cairns group.

Minister for Trade Hwag said, ``This Conference will take a package settlement method. If so, the agricultural and service sectors, which has been negotiated separately as a result of the Uruguay Round, will be included in the agenda of the New Round.``

sckim007@donga.com