SOUTH KOREA: Thousands of South Korean farmers protest at U.S. trade deal

Record ID: 212621

  • Title: SOUTH KOREA: Thousands of South Korean farmers protest at U.S. trade deal
  • Date: 20th June 2007
  • Summary: PROTESTERS PERFORMING TRADITIONAL FOLK MUSIC VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS MARCHING WITH COW PROTESTERS SHOUTING AGAINST FREE TRADE PROTESTERS MARCHING WHILE HOLDING BANNER READING "FARMERS ARE DEAD"
  • Embargoed: 5th July 2007 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Topics: Industry
  • Reuters ID: LVA15HQDP3TNFN6FCFG4FCN7YKUP
  • Story Text: Thousands of South Korean farmers protested on Wednesday (June 20) against a sweeping free trade agreement with the United States that will soon be revisited but has gained wide support in the Asian economic power.
    The deal reached in April would be the biggest U.S. trade pact in 15 years but has raised hackles from South Korean farmers who see it costing them thousands of jobs, and U.S. automakers fearful of being swept aside by a fresh wave of Korean imports.
    Thousands of farmers gathered in downtown Seoul to tear apart a massive banner with an anti-free trade slogan on it.
    "Free trade with the United States is like robbing our right to live. We will have no place to live after the free trade. We're protesting to get our right to live back," said Park Eui-kyu, president of Korea Advanced Farmers Federation.
    A small team of U.S. trade negotiators will arrive in Seoul on Thursday (June 21) for talks on labour and environmental standards in the trade pact sought by U.S. Democrats as part of a bargain they struck last month with the White House.
    During their talks in Seoul, the two will review seven sectors, including the contentious category of pharmaceuticals. South Korean officials have gone out their way to describe the talks as a consultation and not renegotiations.
    TU/JRC
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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