With that decision to open the rice market and end a 20-year waiver,... this country
now has to wrestle with tariff rates that will determine how it protects the nation's
farmers, already under threat by cheaper food imports under a slew of free trade agreements.
Joining me live in the studio to discuss this issue is Dr. Kim Byoung-joo.
Dr. Kim, today's decision follows years of controversy over the pros and cons of opening
up a market that for Koreans is synonymous with food and psychological security.
How do we best explain the government position?
Now, how
will the tariffication be imposed?
We were initially expecting united opposition from rice farmers.
But, it seems
now they are divided?
What is the road ahead now
here
in
Korea and
at
the WTO?