FAS/Seoul Monitoring of Media Reporting on Agricultural Issues 

Today's Date: Thursday,  July 3,  2025

For Coverage:  June  27  ~  July 3,  2025

The demand for U.S. agricultural market opening must be withdrawn 
https://www.nongmin.com/article/20250630500683
With the July 8 U.S.-set deadline for mutual tariff negotiations approaching, attention is focused on the outcome of the Korea-U.S. talks.  While the Korean government insists it will prioritize national interests, domestic agricultural groups are voicing strong concerns about potential market openings for U.S. agricultural products.  Experts warned that if retaliatory tariffs are imposed, Korea’s GDP could drop by 0.3–0.4%, but favorable negotiations could boost growth; meanwhile, Korean stakeholders urge the government to stand firm against U.S. demands, particularly regarding beef imports and agriculture market access.

Close attention is being paid to the direction of proposed legislation, including conditional mandatory rice purchases and price stabilization measures 
https://www.nongmin.com/article/20250630500726
South Korea’s ruling party and the Ministry of Agriculture have agreed to pass six key agricultural bills — including the previously vetoed Rice Management Act and new proposals like the Essential Ag Inputs Support Act and Hanwoo (Korean beef) Act — before this year’s harvest season.  These laws aim to stabilize crop prices, support rice production area reduction, and provide compensation during natural disasters or price drops.  The government plans to increase related budgets (e.g., expanding strategic crop subsidies from KRW 244 billion to 400 billion) and will prioritize passing two disaster-related bills in the July provisional session.

MFDS releases the 2024 import statistics for food products: Imports from the U.S. increase by 31% 
http://www.foodnews.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=113877
According to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS), South Korea imported $35.7 billion worth (19.38 million tons) of food (including containers and packaging) from 164 countries last year.  The top three exporters of food to Korea in 2024 were the U.S., China, and Australia, accounting for 52.6% (10.2 million tons) of the total imports.  Imports from the U.S. reached 3.8 million tons, a 31.2% increase from the previous year, followed by China (3.62 million tons, 9.4%↑) and Australia (2.78 million tons, 3.7% ↑).  Both wheat and soybean imports from the U.S. increased by over 10%, especially with corn imports reaching 480,000 tons, a 1,070.7% increase from the previous year.

Oh Yu-kyung retained as the Minister of Food and Drug Safety 
http://www.foodnews.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=113880
President Lee Jae-myung decided on June 29^th to retain Oh Yoo-kyung as the Minister of Food and Drug Safety.  This is the second time that a vice minister-level or higher official appointed by the previous administration has been retained by the Lee’s current administration, following Song Mi-ryung, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.

Reappointed agriculture minister: “Now the conditions to revise the Grain Management Act are in place, which was opposed by the previous Yoon administration” 
https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20250630083700001?section=industry/agriculture
Song Mi-ryung, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, said at a policy meeting held at the National Assembly on June 30^th that the current Lee Jae-myung administration shares the same view with the ministry on prior supply and demand control of rice, so the conditions are now in place to revise the Grain Management Act.  Regarding the previous government’s position on revising the same act, which proposed that the government would purchase all surplus rice due to overproduction, Minister Song had previously expressed opposition, citing concerns that this would impose a financial burden on the country and cause losses for farmers due to price declines.

Korean rice exports surge amid U.S. demand and domestic oversupply 
https://www.donga.com/news/Economy/article/all/20250629/131904679/2
Korean rice exports are increasing, with the U.S. being the largest importer, accounting for nearly 30% of total exports in 2023, driven partly by drought-induced shortages in California.  The Korean government sees rice exports as a key strategy to address domestic oversupply and is expanding support, especially targeting markets like the U.S. and Singapore.  As domestic rice consumption hits a record low, local governments are also backing exports by subsidizing logistics costs for shipments to Korean markets in the U.S.

U.S. pushes for beef regulation easing and gas development… Yeo Han-koo: “Tariffs still a concern” 
https://www.donga.com/news/Economy/article/all/20250630/131905609/2
During high-level U.S.-Korea trade talks ahead of the mutual tariff suspension deadline, the U.S. demanded Korea ease non-tariff barriers, particularly those affecting agricultural imports like the age limit on beef and quarantine rules on livestock products.  American officials also called for Korea’s concrete actions in areas like digital services and agriculture, aligning with former President Trump’s priorities.  In response, Korea emphasized strengthening industrial cooperation but remains concerned about potential tariff hikes if negotiations falter.

HPAI detected at a Korean native chicken farm in Gimhae 
https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20250629049100030?section=industry/agriculture
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced on the 29^th that the H5N1 strain of highly pathogenic avian influenza had been detected at a native chicken farm in Gimhae, South Gyeongsang Province.  The ministry confirmed that the farm in question was an unlicensed facility raising over 1,000 chickens and promptly requested local authorities to conduct a comprehensive inspection of all unlicensed and unregistered poultry farms.  The ministry earlier implemented necessary initial measures to prevent the spread of the virus in the vicinity of the farm. 

Cabbage prices already unstable this summer… Kimchi companies are already taking action 
https://www.hankyung.com/article/202506262315i
Summer cabbage prices are likely to remain unstable again this year, due to several factors.  The main production areas for summer cabbage are highland regions over 600 meters above sea level, such as Pyeongchang and Taebaek in Gangwon Province.  These areas are limited in size, and continuous cropping is taking a toll.  Repeatedly growing cabbage on the same land leads to soil fatigue and increases the risk of pests and diseases, resulting in lower yields.