FAS/Seoul Monitoring of Media Reporting on Agricultural Issues 

Today's Date: Friday,  July 18,  2025

For Coverage:  July 11  ~  18,  2025

Will Korea Concede on Agriculture in U.S. Tariff Talks? Farmers Fume Over Signs of Market Opening
https://www.nongmin.com/article/20250716500820
The Korean government is reportedly considering using agricultural market access as a bargaining chip in upcoming tariff negotiations with the United States, prompting strong backlash from farmers and agricultural groups. U.S. demands include easing restrictions on beef over 30 months old, loosening quarantine rules on horticultural imports like apples, and increasing rice imports, raising fears of further market opening. In response, Korean agricultural associations and lawmakers are warning of protests and criticizing the government for sacrificing domestic agriculture under pressure, while the Ministry of Agriculture insists that no decisions have been made yet.

African Swine Fever Confirmed at Pig Farm in Paju
http://www.foodnews.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=114155
The Central Accident Control Headquarters for ASF announced on the 16^th that a case of African Swine Fever (ASF) had been confirmed at a pig farm in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, near the North Korean border. A report was filed after several pigs died at the farm, which raises around 2,500 pigs, and a detailed inspection confirmed the presence of ASF. The headquarters has implemented initial quarantine measures to prevent the spread of the disease. All pigs currently being raised at the farm will be culled in accordance with the ASF SOP. This is the fourth confirmed case reported nationwide this year.

"If We Succumb to Trade Pressure, the Apple Industry Will Collapse”… National Apple Council of Nonghyup Issues Statement
https://www.nongmin.com/article/20250716500256
The National Apple Council of Nonghyup, formed by apple-producing Nonghyup branches, strongly opposed the government’s move to import U.S. apples and decided to take joint action to block market opening. On the 16th, the council held an urgent executive meeting at the Daejeon Convention Center (DCC) to discuss the government’s plan to open the apple market and adopted a statement opposing apple imports. The meeting was held just before the 2025 Nationwide Agricultural Cooperative Leaders Forum at the same venue, where cooperative heads from major apple-producing regions gathered urgently to seek response strategies.

Amendment to the Grain Management Act Set in Motion… Doubts Raised over Effectiveness of Adjusting Rice Cultivation Area
https://www.nongmin.com/article/20250714500750
After several agricultural bills were previously vetoed by the last administration, attention now turns to the contentious amendment of the Grain Management Act. The Democratic Party and the government have agreed to amend the Act to enforce strong preemptive adjustments to rice cultivation areas and mandatory post-harvest market isolation. While this key pledge of President Lee Jae-myung raises hopes of resolving long-standing rice issues, doubts remain about the feasibility of the plan.

ROK to Strengthen Pesticide Residue Testing on U.S. Sesame Seeds
https://www.nongmin.com/article/20250714500738
The South Korean government has strengthened pesticide residue inspections on U.S. sesame seeds as a follow-up measure. This action comes after a domestic report revealed glyphosate levels exceeding local MRLs in recently imported U.S. sesame. Authorities plan to inspect all incoming shipments and existing stocks, citing consumer safety concerns.

Ready-to-Eat Abalone Rice, Developed with National Food Cluster’s Technical Support, Heads to the U.S.
http://www.foodnews.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=114110
Ready-to-eat (HMR) abalone rice, jointly developed by the Korea National Food Cluster (Foodpolis) and Haedameun - a Korean seafood company specializing in ready-to-eat meals - has now entered the U.S. market. This export is a prime example of collaboration supported by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, with the Foodpolis and Haedameun applying IQF (Individually Quick Frozen) technology to develop the product and secure an export channel. The IQF technique, which rapidly freezes each ingredient individually, helps preserve the original taste and texture even after reheating, making it a key process that is attracting attention as a way to boost future K-food exports.

Relentless Heatwave Decimates Livestock, Deepens Farmers' Woes
https://www.nongmin.com/article/20250711500732
Nearly 530,000 livestock have died in South Korea due to an ongoing heatwave, with the number expected to rise as extreme temperatures persist. In response, the government, local authorities, agricultural cooperatives, and producer groups have launched a joint task force to minimize damage, providing emergency water systems, cooling supplies, and consulting support to farms. The Ministry of Agriculture has also urged local governments to quickly implement heatwave-related budgets and report farmers’ needs to ensure timely and effective assistance.

Brazilian Chicken Sold Under Korean Broiler Association? ‘It's 100% Fraud’
https://www.nongmin.com/article/20250711500729
Amid government plans to quickly import Brazilian and Thai chicken to ease domestic supply concerns, fraudulent attempts have been made to sell Brazilian chicken and Chilean pork belly by impersonating the Korea Broiler Association. The association strongly denies handling or selling any imported products and warns the public about scams using fake business cards and false claims, urging victims to report such cases to prevent financial loss. This situation follows a highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreak in Brazil, which the government addressed by allowing imports from unaffected regions despite public anxiety over chicken supply.

Buy Hanwoo and Eel at Convenience Stores: Fierce Competition Over Retail Coupon Promotions
https://www.donga.com/news/Economy/article/all/20250713/131991374/2
With the rollout of consumer recovery coupons worth 150,000 to 400,000 KRW per person starting July 21, convenience stores—excluded from past subsidy programs—are launching aggressive promotions featuring premium items like Hanwoo beef, galbi, and eel. Unlike major supermarkets, which are not eligible coupon outlets, convenience stores are seizing this opportunity by offering fresh, high-value foods and targeting everyday essentials alongside alcohol and summer products. Industry experts expect convenience stores to benefit the most, with potential for a 5% increase in coupon spending, based on strong sales growth seen during previous stimulus efforts.