대한민국 쌀 인사이트

[Hankuk Rural News Reporter Kang-san Kim] Former Jeonnam Governor Kim Young-rok and the Jeonnam Provincial Assembly's Agriculture and Fisheries Committee (Chairperson Kim Mun-su) each issued statements on the 31st welcoming the 'exclusion of additional opening of rice and beef in the Korea-U.S. tariff negotiations.' Governor Kim Young-rok expressed through a statement of welcome, "Together with all the citizens of Jeonnam, I welcome the Korea-U.S. tariff negotiations concluded without the additional opening of the agricultural and fisheries market announced by the government," and evaluated, "According to this trade agreement, not only is the nation's food sovereignty protected, but the livelihood of our farmers is also safeguarded, and at the same time, our region's shipbuilding industry, which has global competitiveness, has been given a new opportunity for entry into the U.S. market." He continued, "Jeonnam Province will also in the future..."

Kang Yoo-jeong stated that the degree of openness of the South Korean agricultural and livestock products market to the U.S. has already reached 99.7%, and the remaining 0.3% will not be further opened, which is the consistent and clear stance of the South Korean side. She pointed out that the U.S. side may have misunderstandings regarding the situation, and there may be differences in understanding between the two sides on some detailed clauses. She added that while there may be adjustments to the acceptance or quarantine procedures for certain specific categories to improve customs clearance convenience, this does not mean an increase in the overall import quota. Regarding the question of whether the opening could be expanded by relaxing quarantine standards, Kang Yoo-jeong reiterated that there is still room for negotiation on individual items, but this will not expand the degree of market openness. The Presidential Office emphasized that although there is a certain "temperature difference" between the two sides regarding the explanation of the results of this round of economic and trade consultations, the South Korean side's statement is more accurate. The Director of the Presidential Office's Policy Office, Kim Yong-fan, also pointed out the day before that the two sides have reached a consensus on "not further opening the South Korean rice and beef markets." On July 31 local time, U.S. White House Press Secretary Caroline Lavitt said at a press conference that the U.S. and South Korea have decided to lower the rates of reciprocal tariffs and auto tariffs imposed by the U.S. on South Korea to 15%, and South Korea will open its market to U.S. products including cars and rice. U.S. President Trump also stated on the same day that South Korea will fully open its trade with the U.S. and agree to accept U.S. products including cars, trucks, and agricultural products. (End)

[Song Hae-chang, Korea Farmers' News] Until the 22nd, the city of Seosan, Chungnam, is recruiting participants for the 'Ecosystem Service Payment Agreement Project'. This project compensates farmers who engage in ecosystem protection activities among the cultivators in the A and B areas of Cheonsuman. Participating farmers need to maintain rice straw in the rice fields and create fallow fields in winter to provide food and resting places for migratory birds. Farmers receive 27.3 won per square meter for maintaining rice straw and 90 won per square meter for creating fallow fields. Agricultural land around Seosan Birdland is the priority for the contract, while areas for aircraft takeoff and landing are excluded from the application. If selected as a project participant, compensation begins after rice harvest and continues until March 2026.