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S. Korean farmers protest free trade deal with U.S.

— PHOTO: AP

Massive Protest: South Korean farmers tear a huge anti-U.S. banner during an anti-FTA (Free trade agreement) rally in front of City Hall in Seoul, South Korea, on Wednesday.

SEOUL: South Korean farmers have denounced a free trade agreement with the United States, as officials from the two sides prepared to discuss amending the hard fought deal ahead of its expected signing later this month.

“We demand the annulment of the FTA agreement and that legislative ratification be stopped,” said Han Min-soo, a spokesman for the 120,000-member Korea Advanced Farmers Federation, which sponsored a rally in front of Seoul City Hall on Wednesday. Police were expecting a crowd of about 10,000, half the number Mr. Han said would attend. Probably no more than about 1,000 persons had gathered, however, by early afternoon.

Washington and Seoul forged their deal in early April, concluding 10 months of often tense negotiations to cut tariffs and trade barriers on a wide range of industries and services. Both sides said the accord will boost growth, but certain constituencies, such as farmers in South Korea and labour groups in the U.S., have opposed it.

It is the largest free trade deal for the U.S. since the North American Free Trade Agreement more than a decade ago, and the largest ever for South Korea.

Washington, however, has asked Seoul to amend the deal to reflect new U.S. guidelines forged by Congressional leaders and the White House calling for stricter labour and environmental standards.

South Korea, which initially said changes were impossible, said the two sides would meet this week to discuss the U.S. request for changes in seven sectors, including labour and environment.

A U.S. delegation was due to arrive in Seoul for talks, according to a statement jointly issued by South Korea’s Finance and Foreign Ministries. Last month, Washington adopted new trade policy guidelines that will elevate labour and environmental rights as key issues in future and pending free trade agreements.

The two sides need to sign a final form of the deal by the end of the month in order for it to be considered by Congress under President George W. Bush’s expiring special trade powers that prevent legislators from making any changes before voting on it. — AP

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