Two members of the Korean Peasants League, clad in traditional mourning attire, carry the head of a cow on a bier during a protest march to Cheong Wa Dae, Saturday. / Yonhap |
By Kim Hyun-cheol
Staff Reporter
With public outrage over the resumption of U.S beef imports showing no signs of subsiding, arguments are differing over a possible renegotiation between the two countries.
Seoul agreed to almost entirely lift its restrictions on U.S. beef imports on April 18, fueling local concerns over safety from mad cow disease, causing tens of thousands of people to take to the streets in large-scale candlelight vigils to protest of the government's incompetence in the course of signing the agreement.
While conservative academics are in favor of Seoul's appeal for voluntary control from U.S. beef exporters, civic groups and opposition parties gave the erred negotiation process the cold shoulder along with a series of disrespectful responses from U.S. representatives.
Both sides, however, agree that a reasonable approach is the biggest priority for both the public and the government.
The current demand for renegotiation of U.S. beef imports is somewhat over the edge from a trading point of view as it takes place when there are critical flaws in the negotiation, Kim Ki-heung, president of the Korean Association of Trade and Industrial Studies, said.
``There is practically no chance of renegotiation in international trade right now,'' the Kyonggi University professor said. ``The best way to request more talks is to raise scientific proof justifying our concerns. Arguments with no tangible grounds cannot be accepted on the negotiation table.''
He also warned the public against a collective one-track mindset, saying, ``It takes two to dance in the end.''
``People here say they oppose the pact for a reason, but it's just for our own good. From the U.S. point of view, turning back on any part of the agreement is likely to cause trouble to their foreign trade strategy,'' Kim said.
The country is currently asking other East Asian countries like Japan and Taiwan to open their beef markets with conditions similar to the South Korean pact. Thus, amending it in any way means it could risk problems in upcoming trade talks with them.
The Lee Myung-bak administration, in a move to divert public criticism, decided to suspend the enactment of the new import standards. Now it is depending on the voluntary action of U.S. meat exporters.
Agriculture Minister Chung Woon-chun said proposals by exporters to impose an internal limit on shipments of beef from older cattle can be regarded as response of Seoul's demand for a revise of import conditions.
``Seoul is doing its best to make changes to the already signed pact. Basically, there is nothing Korea can do if the United States says no to any appeal from us,'' Kim said.
One local lawyer, however, said the action is not appropriate for a minister as regards an issue like this.
``The whole agreement is about enforcing statutory order here. It doesn't make any sense for the government to depend on self regulation,'' said Song Ki-ho, a member of the Lawyers for a Democratic Society.
The progressive lawyer also said there was still room for renegotiation in a special circumstance like this, citing the case of renegotiations for the Korea-U.S. free trade agreement in 2007 June, after the Democrats took the control in Congress.
``It is surely not a common case in terms of mutual confidence,'' Song said. ``But there is room for each party's discrepancy when it comes to a mutual agreement, particularly regarding a sensitive issue like this. A procedure of securing public understanding is included in almost all international trade pacts.
"Since it (the United States) is here to sell its goods, it will eventually listen to what the consumers here really need. It is clear there was no opposition like now when the import ban was lifted last year.''
Song also urged Seoul to complete the quarantine process for U.S. beef imported eight months ago, before signing the new agreement, when imports were suspended following the discovery of bone fragments in a shipment.
``We are not blocking all U.S. beef and shouldn't look that way either,'' Song said. ``The government needs to make sure the focus is on sanitary standards.''
Elsewhere, criticism is also rising over the high-handed stance from the United States, with some believing it hasn't helped solve the troublesome situation, especially that of the top U.S. envoy here.
The chairman of United Democratic Party, the nation's main opposition party, criticized Wednesday U.S. Ambassador Alexander Vershbow's earlier comments on the renegotiation.
The envoy said Tuesday that ``South Koreans should learn more about the scientific facts (on the safety of U.S. beef),'' during a meeting with South Korean foreign minister, while ruling out the possibility of his country bringing the beef issue to the table once more.
``He has insulted all South Koreans with such a remark,'' said Rep. Sohn Hak-kyu, chairman of the main opposition United Democratic Party, during Wednesday's party meeting.
Last month, Vershbow attracted public denunciation after his ``private talk'' with Sohn was revealed. In an unprecedented action for a diplomatic envoy, the ambassador directly called Sohn on the phone for a talk about the party's opposition to U.S. beef imports, where he reportedly mentioned his ``disappointment'' over the party ``causing unfounded unrest.''
hckim@koreatimes.co.kr
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[단독] 르노삼성, 본사 모델로 한국 공략
