The 6th round of the South Korea / U.S. free trade agreement will be held in Shilla Hotel from Jan 15 to Jan 19 in Korea. In the past, there have been mass protests in Korea against unfair Kor/U.S. FTA and a massive protest is expected during this round as well.
Last year, the U.S. pressured the Korean government to open various korean markets including rice, film, auto, beef etc.
After lifting the ban on beef imports caused by a case of mad cow disease , South Korea has since sent back three shipments of U.S. beef after finding bone fragments in the meat. U.S. officials protested that South Korea employed excessively strict rules to block U.S. imports.

Various Korean activist communities have strongly advocated against the FTA saying that this unilateral method of trade agreement has been detrimental to Korean culture, economy and public health. According to the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, 15,000 riot police will be on the street to “protect” the meeting venue.

More articles on Korea FTA issues please check:

• bilaterals.org

• Korean Alliance against the Korean and US. FTA

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