ISDS Case Map
Korea
Korea's main opposition United Democratic Party yesterday said it will refuse to ratify the free trade deal with the United States unless both countries renegotiate their beef import agreement.
Delegations from South Korea and the European Union will get together for a new round of the free trade agreement (FTA) talks starting today in Brussels, Belgium.
A court ruled on Friday that if fliers and large placards are involved or political slogans are chanted during an event, it cannot be seen purely as a “cultural event.”
“At a remote ranch named Adams in Nebraska, there were some 80,000 cattle. About 3 kilometers away from the ranch, a nasty smell greeted my nose. Kept in corrals, the cattle tumbled about in their own excrement and urine. Still, the animals were given food containing animal parts. Antibiotics and growth hormone were essential for breeding them.”
Tens of thousands of Koreans held another candlelit vigil Friday night, demanding the government scrap the agreement to import most US beef.
President Lee Myung-bak renewed Thursday his pledge to prioritize the health of the Korean people in his government's policy to restart U.S. beef imports, accusing opponents of the Korea-U.S. free trade agreement of spreading groundless fears of mad cow disease.
The top Australian diplomat said Wednesday his country supports President Lee Myung-bak's policy toward North Korea focused on dismantling its nuclear weapons program before providing economic aid. Foreign Minister Stephen Smith also expressed hope that the two nations will sign a free trade agreement as a way for boosting bilateral ties.
Agriculture minister Chung Woon-chun told lawmakers that Seoul will take the unilateral step even if such a move could lead to trade disputes with Washington.
South Koreans opposing the government's decision to import most US beef cuts vowed to continue candlelight vigils later Tuesday despite a police warning to stay away from political rallies.
With the growing concerns about and backlash against the resumption of US beef imports, the Korea-US free trade agreement could fail to get ratification in the 17th National Assembly.
