South Korean parliament approves rice-market liberalization plan
(AP)
Updated: 2005-11-23 14:32

South Korea's parliament on Wednesday approved a plan to liberalize the domestic rice market, despite angry protests from farmers who say their livelihoods are in danger of extinction.

The South Korean government agreed to the rice market plan last year after negotiations with the United States, China, Thailand and six other rice-producing countries. Under the deal, South Korea must gradually double its current 4 percent limit on rice imports by 2014, and eventually fully open the market with tariffs still allowed.

The National Assembly approved the plan in a 139-61 vote, with 23 abstentions. The session convened after a delay caused when lawmakers opposed to opening the rice market blocked the parliament speaker from reaching the podium. The lawmakers continued their shouts of protests during the vote.

South Korean farmers block a motorway with their vehicles during a rally in Changheung, south of Seoul November 23, 2005. [Reuters]

The market-opening plan has sparked demonstrations and been connected to two suicides in recent weeks by farmers who have railed against pro-globalization bodies like the World Trade Organization, which they say pursues a U.S.-driven agenda. They fear cheaper rice from other countries will drive them out of business.

South Korean Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon said Wednesday the country would face imposed tariffs on rice if it doesn't comply with the deal, a step he warned would "deal a heavy blow to local farming families."

"If South Korea doesn't ratify the rice deal it promised to the international community, its standing, image and credibility will be undermined," Ban told reporters.

Farmers have argued vigorously against the plan, also protesting at the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit last week in the port city of Busan, where some demonstrators clashed with police.

Kang Ki-kab, a lawmaker with the small opposition Democratic Labor Party, has been fasting for nearly four weeks in protest _ and said he would refuse food until his demands are met for farmers to be compensated for their losses. Wearing traditional Korean robes, he was among those shouting in parliament Wednesday trying to prevent the vote from going forward.

"We've lost too much, given too much to the U.S.," Kang told The Associated Press at a protest Tuesday in central Seoul.

Other demonstrations nationwide have included farmers burning sacks of rice in protest.

The South Korean farmers are also expected to bring their protests to a key WTO meeting set for next month in Hong Kong, where international trade officials are seeking to move forward on talks to open markets worldwide.