FAS/Seoul Monitoring of Media Reporting on Agricultural Issues 

Today's Date: Friday,  July 11,  2025

For Coverage:  July 2  ~  11,  2025

Two of Four Key Agricultural Bills Pass National Assembly
https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20250710119500001?section=politics/all&site=major_news02 | http://www.foodnews.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=114038
On July 10, the National Assembly passed revisions to the Agricultural and Fisheries Disaster Countermeasure Act and the Agricultural and Fisheries Disaster Insurance Act – two of the so-called "Four Agricultural Bills" that had been scrapped under the previous Yoon administration – through bipartisan agreement. The revised Agricultural and Fisheries Disaster Countermeasure Act includes a provision requiring the establishment and implementation of a basic disaster response plan for the sector every five years. The revision to the Agricultural and Fisheries Disaster Insurance Act expands coverage to include damage caused by pests and diseases. Alongside the two bills passed on that day, the Grain Management Act and the Act on the Distribution and Price Stabilization of Agricultural and Fishery Products - also part of the Four Agricultural Bills - were deferred for further deliberation at a later date.

Earlier, on July 8, members of the National Assembly’s Agriculture, Food, Rural Affairs, Oceans and Fisheries Committee held a meeting with the Presidential Commission on National Policy Planning. During the meeting, they stressed the growing severity of natural disasters caused by climate change and called for the swift passage of the Four Agricultural Bills to ease the burden on farming and fishing households and improve their conditions, emphasizing the urgent need for a stronger response to climate change.

Chicken supply emergency due to heat wave… 160,000 chickens die in a single day
https://www.donga.com/news/Economy/article/all/20250710/131975181/1
As the scorching heat wave continues, not only has it caused human casualties, but livestock deaths have also surged to 7.6 times higher than the same period last year, triggering an emergency in the supply of livestock products.  With prices of agricultural and marine products already soaring due to the heat, there are growing concerns that a rise in meat prices, including pork and chicken, could further increase the burden on household grocery bills.  According to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety’s daily national safety management report on July 10, a total of 160,123 livestock deaths were reported as of July 8, including 2,117 pigs and 158,006 poultry.

US warns of ‘25% tariffs’...agriculture 'on fire’
https://nongmin.com/article/20250709500577?page=1
In fact, media reports have surfaced that the Korean government is considering importing U.S. apples as a bargaining card, raising concerns among the agricultural community. Apart from tariffs, foreign agricultural products must go through an eight-step import risk assessment process under the World Trade Organization's (WTO) Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) regulations before they can be imported into Korea. U.S. apples are currently in step 2, but there are observations that this could be accelerated under the current tariff negotiations. In its 2025 National Trade Barriers Report (NTE), the U.S requested that Korea expedite the approval process for apple imports along with the expansion of U.S. beef imports and the relaxation of LMO import restrictions.

The backlash from the agricultural community is fierce. The National Apple Producers Association held a press conference near the presidential office in Yongsan, Seoul, on July 9th. “If even one harmful pest is introduced into Korea from U.S. apples, the damage will be an irreversible disaster for our agricultural ecosystem and people's health,” they said.

Koran apple industry is also reacting strongly. The Korea Apple Federation (Chairman Seo Byung-jin, President of Daekyung Apple and Horticulture Cooperative) and the Korea Fruit Farmers Association (Chairman Park Chul-sun, President of Chungbuk Horticulture Cooperative) issued an urgent statement on the July 7th, insisting, “Apples account for the largest share of domestic fruit production and represent 23% of open field fruit farms,” and criticized, “The import of US apples has a negative impact on the Korean apple industry as a whole and directly threatens the survival rights of apple farmers.”

Preemptive pest and disease control to support food price stability
https://www.nongmin.com/article/20250707500761
The Rural Development Administration (RDA) plans to boost agricultural productivity and increase farmers’ income by developing and spreading smart farming technologies that combine advanced techniques.  They also aim to drive innovation in future food technologies using advanced food tech and support the growth of the K-microbial seed industry, along with expanding exports of strategic agricultural products.  In response to climate change and abnormal weather, the RDA will work to establish a stable food production system, improve food self-sufficiency, and promote low-carbon farming. 

Korea Seeks to Minimize Agricultural Impact Amid U.S. Trade Barrier Concerns
https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20250708080400030?section=economy/all&site=major_news02
As U.S. President Trump announced on the 7^th that a 25% reciprocal tariff will be imposed on Korean products starting August 1, Korea’s agricultural and livestock industries are closely watching the upcoming negotiations. Previously, the U.S. Trade Representative raised trade concerns through its National Trade Estimate (NTE) Report, citing issues such as Korea’s age limit on U.S. beef imports, restrictions on LMO agricultural products, and high tariffs on U.S. rice. In this context, President Trump suggested that the reciprocal tariff rate could be lowered if Korea eases the previously mentioned import restriction policies.  As a result, Korea’s agri-livestock sector is paying close attention to potential changes in trade policy.

Government's Rice Price Intervention Backfires… 'Could Hit 100,000 Won Next Month'
https://www.hankyung.com/article/2025070732031
Rice prices have risen more than 10% over the past year, approaching the 60,000 won mark per 20 kilograms for the first time in four years.  Concerns are growing that the government's intervention to control rice prices, such as issuing "price guidelines" to regional agricultural cooperatives and excessively isolating the market, is backfiring.  These actions seem to stem from pressure surrounding the controversy over the revision of the Grain Management Act, combined with a reduced rice harvest caused by abnormal weather conditions.

Senior Government and Ruling Party Prompt Major Supermarkets to Launch 'Half-Price Sales' Within a Day
https://www.hankyung.com/article/2025070732051
Starting this month, the government and the food and retail industries will offer "half-price discounts" on popular summer vacation food items such as instant noodles, bread, and ice cream.  The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced on the 7th that, following discussions with the food and retail sectors on the 4th, they had agreed to launch large-scale discount events beginning this month.  This move comes as a follow-up measure after a high-level policy meeting between the government and the ruling party was held the previous day to discuss inflation control measures focused on processed foods.

MFDS excludes additives used abroad – but not registered as food additives in Korea – from hazardous substance list 
https://www.foodnews.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=113974 
On July 2^nd, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) announced the following partial amendments to the regulations on the declaration and inspection of imported foods.  The regulation has been revised to exclude from the list of hazardous substances those additives that are not listed in Korea’s standards and specifications for food additives but are approved for use in other countries.  The standards for seafood have been also eased to allow products to be recognized under the same product name, even if their form or processing method differs, as long as they are from the same fish species and meet the same inspection items and standards.  Additionally, for agricultural and forestry products, the items specified in the food standards and specifications will now be applied consistently to detailed pesticide residue inspections as well. 

Korean Beef Act passes National Assembly 
https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20250703130200030?section=industry/agriculture 
On July 3^rd, the Korean Beef (Hanwoo) Association welcomed the passage of the Korean Beef Act in the National Assembly’s plenary session.  The Korean Beef Act, which focuses on supporting Hanwoo farmers, is a law concerning the transition and support of the Hanwoo industry in response to carbon neutrality.  It was previously scrapped last year after being vetoed by the former administration.  The Korean Beef Act was first proposed in 2014 to promote the Hanwoo industry and boost its consumption amid the opening of the beef market due to free trade agreements. 

K-Food exports reach $5.16 billion in first half of the year, up 8.4% from last year 
https://www.foodnews.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=113968 
According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA), agri-food (K-food) exports in the first half of this year reached $5.16 billion, an 8.4% increase compared to the same period last year, with North America showing the highest export growth rate at 24.3%.  Among processed foods with exports exceeding $50 million, the items with the highest year-on-year growth were ramen (24.0%↑), ice cream (23.1%↑), and sauces (18.4%↑).  All three products are receiving strong consumer responses in major markets such as the U.S. and China.  Among fresh foods with exports exceeding $20 million, chicken (7.9%↑) and yuja (5.5%↑) showed the highest growth rates.  In particular, growing demand in the U.S. for samgyetang, frozen chicken, and yuja tea has driven the increase in exports. 

Consumer prices return to the 2% range after two months
https://www.donga.com/news/Economy/article/all/20250702/131922475/1 
Consumer inflation has returned to the 2% range for the first time in two months.  The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has pushed petroleum prices back into an upward trend, while the prices of processed foods, livestock and seafood products, and dining out have all risen by more than 4%, putting a strain on household budgets.  According to the “Consumer Price Trends for June” released by Statistics Korea on the 2nd, last month’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) stood at 116.31 (based on 2020 = 100), representing a 2.2% increase compared to the same period last year. 

Editorial Commentary

Tariff Talks Extended for Three Weeks:  Seoul Should Achieve Best Outcome Through Strategic Judgment
https://www.joongang.co.kr/article/25350085
U.S. President Donald Trump has postponed the implementation of reciprocal tariffs, originally scheduled for July 9, to August 1 for the ROK and other trade partners.  While it is fortunate that the ROK has effectively secured an additional three weeks for negotiations, it is regrettable that the United States heavy-handedly notified the ROK — a longtime ally — of its plan to impose a 25 percent reciprocal tariff on ROK exports without consideration of Seoul’s position.  The ROK government should make every effort to hold a summit with President Trump within this month and conclude negotiations, thereby eliminating tariff-related uncertainties as early as possible.  As a manufacturing powerhouse, the ROK’s industrial strengths can serve as a strong bargaining chip, as they align with the United States’ desire to revive its own manufacturing sector.   

The key in tariff negotiations is to make strategic judgments about what to give and what to take.  President Trump has consistently emphasized the reduction of trade deficits, an increase in defense spending, and the exchange rate issue with the ROK.  Given his stated preference for “one-stop shopping,” there is a strong possibility of a comprehensive agreement encompassing trade and industrial cooperation as well as security issues like defense spending.  Ultimately, it would best serve the ROK’s national interest to propose an increase in defense spending and cooperation in the shipbuilding industry, in exchange for the United States scrapping the reciprocal tariff — or at least reducing them to a level lower than that imposed on the ROK’s major competitors in the U.S. market — as well as easing or eliminating tariffs on automobiles, steel, and other key export items.  

The U.S. demands are excessive in some respects, as shown in its insistence on lifting restrictions on beef imports from cattle 30 months old or more and expanding rice imports.  Food safety and public health should come first.  The ROK should fully explain that it is already the largest importer of U.S. beef while minimizing the impact on domestic agriculture.