Korea-U.S. FTA Talks Enter Round Two

From July 10 to July 14, the second round of Korea-U.S. FTA talks will take place at Shilla Hotel in Jangchung-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul.

The two countries will discuss the level of tariff reductions and implementation period and the exceptions in the opening of service and investment areas and enter into the practical talks to decide what to give and take.

If the first round of the negotiation held in Washington last month was just a place in which the two sides confirmed their differences, this round of talks will be a more substantial game.

The U.S. chief negotiator Wendy Cutler, who entered Korea via Incheon International Airport on the afternoon of July 9, said, “All of the issues are sticking points, but we know that Korean people are sensitive about the opening of the nation’s rice market,” and added that opening the rice market, too, will be discussed in detail.

Korea’s chief negotiator Kim Jong-hoon noted, “We will talk about the tariff reduction and implementation period issues in comprehensive consideration of goods, agricultural products and textile industry,” and further stated that Korea will do everything to protect the agriculture sector.

Meanwhile, farmers, labor and civic organizations opposing the Korea-U.S. FTA are planning to hold a large-scale gathering and demonstration during the talks, which could spark clashes.

The “Korean Alliance against the Korea-U.S. FTA” said that it would hold a large-scale demonstration against the Korea-U.S. FTA, which will draw 100,000 farmers, employees and students at Gwanghwamoon, Seoul, at 4:00 p.m. on July 12.

Keuk-In Bae bae2150@donga.com zeitung@donga.com