FAS/Seoul Monitoring of Media Reporting on Agricultural Issues 

Today's Date: Friday,  July  25,  2025

For Coverage:  July 18  ~  25,  2025

Japan Concedes Rice to U.S.—Will It Affect Korea-U.S. Negotiations?
https://www.nongmin.com/article/20250723500811
Japan’s decision to open its rice market to the U.S. has raised uncertainty around upcoming Korea-U.S. trade talks. While Korea has ruled out including sensitive items like rice and beef, a planned July 25 “2+2” trade meeting in D.C. was postponed. Seoul is closely monitoring the U.S.-Japan deal, which may influence its own negotiation strategy.

Amendments to the Agricultural and Fishery Disaster Insurance Act and Countermeasure Act Passed by the National Assembly
https://www.nongmin.com/article/20250723500791
The contentious agricultural bills that were blocked by the previous administration’s veto power are now being revived under the current government. Following the enactment of the "Act on the Transition and Support of the Korean Beef Industry in Response to Carbon Neutrality (Korean Beef Act)" earlier this month, the amendments to the "Agricultural and Fishery Disaster Insurance Act" and the "Agricultural and Fishery Disaster Countermeasures Act" cleared the National Assembly on the 23rd. Attention is now turning to the remaining contentious bills: the amendments to the "Grain Management Act" and the "Act on Distribution and Price Stabilization of Agricultural and Fishery Products (Agricultural Products Act)."

The scheduled Korea-US ‘2+2 Trade Talks’ on the 25th have been canceled due to US Secretary Bessent’s scheduling conflicts
https://www.nongmin.com/article/20250724500072
The Korea-US "2+2 Trade Talks," scheduled to be held in the United States on the 25th (local time), have been canceled due to circumstances on the US side. The Ministry of Economy and Finance announced on the 24th that the meeting was canceled because of urgent scheduling conflicts of US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. The ministry added that the US side proposed holding the talks as soon as possible, and both Korea and the US plan to arrange the meeting at the earliest possible date.

MFDS Introduces Digital Technology for Efficient Management of Imported Food Safety
http://www.foodnews.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=114246
Oh Yu-kyoung, Minister of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS), visited CJ CheilJedang in Busan on the 23^rd to observe its food production site using ingredients imported through SAFE-i24, and held a meeting with representatives from the imported food industry. SAFE-i24 is an automated, AI-supported digital inspection system launched by the MFDS in 2023 to enhance the safety and efficiency of imported food screening. During the meeting, Minister Oh said, “The introduction of the SAFE-i24 electronic screening system has greatly helped reduce the time and cost burden on importers by enabling strict inspections and rapid customs clearance of imported foods. We will continue to do our utmost to ensure that the public can consume imported foods with confidence”.

Korea to Enact ‘Hanwoo Law’ in July 2026
https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20250722076000030?section=industry/agriculture
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced that the Act on the Transition and Support of the Hanwoo Industry for Carbon Neutrality–also known as the “Hanwoo Law”–was passed on July 22 and will take effect on July 23, 2026. The law was previously scrapped under the former administration but has been revived under the Lee Jae-myung government. Under the new law, the ministry must establish a comprehensive five-year plan to foster the Hanwoo (premium native Korean cattle breed) industry. It will also develop long-term supply-demand policies and provide incentives to farmers for slaughter and shipment to help stabilize the market. As of last month, there were approximately 3.29 million Hanwoo cattle in Korea: Gyeongbuk Province accounted for 22% (716,580 head), followed by Jeonnam with 18% (603,617 head).

MFDS: Reform of the Food Additive Regulations
http://www.foodnews.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=114214
Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) announced, on the 22^nd, a comprehensive revision of the standards and specifications for food additives. According to the revision, food additives will be reorganized into a more systematic and transparent regulatory framework, classifying them into three categories–general food additives, processing aids, and nutrient fortifiers–in line with international standards such as those of the EU and CODEX. In addition, the use of seven substances, including Vitamin K1 and K2, which are used for nutritional fortification, will be allowed in general food products as well, reflecting the growing demand for customized fortified foods. The MFDS plans to continue improving the food additive system in respond to changes in distribution and consumption environment.

Ruling party on edge ahead of elections as public backlash grows over potential increase in beef imports 
https://www.hankyung.com/article/2025072001691 
South Korea is considering lifting its ban on importing U.S. beef from cattle over 30 months old as a bargaining chip in upcoming tariff negotiations with the U.S., but a 2008 law requiring National Assembly approval is complicating the move. This law, introduced during public fears over mad cow disease and pushed by the then-opposition Democratic Party, is now seen as a political trap for the same party, which is currently in power. With the negotiation deadline (August 1) approaching, tensions are rising as domestic opposition to agricultural market openings—especially ahead of next year’s local elections—makes legislative approval unlikely.

As of the 19th, heavy rain has damaged 24,247 hectares of farmland... The Ministry of Agriculture and Food is making all-out efforts for disaster recovery 
https://www.nongmin.com/article/20250720500013 
Heavy rains have caused damage to 24,247 hectares of farmland, according to recent figures. The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced that it is fully committed to swift disaster recovery efforts. On the morning of July 20, Minister Song Mi-ryeong visited a horticultural greenhouse farm in Buyeo, South Chungcheong Province, that had been flooded due to the heavy rains, to inspect the emergency recovery work. 

Despite International Concerns Over Food Shortages, North Korea Claims Wheat Harvest Is Triple That of 2021 
https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20250720016100504?section=industry/agriculture 
North Korea says this year’s wheat harvest is strong, despite international warnings about a worsening food crisis. According to DPRK’s state-run newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, this year’s wheat and barley harvests were completed on time and exceeded targets.  Wheat production is expected to be over three times higher than in 2021, with the cultivation area increasing by 297 square kilometers from last year. In late 2021, Kim Jong-un announced a shift in the nation’s grain production structure to encourage diets based on white rice and wheat-based foods.  Meanwhile, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) designated North Korea as a country in need of external food assistance for the 19th consecutive year, indicating that the country’s food situation remains critical.