Comments on: South Korea: Why Protest Against American Beef?

By: mad koreans

mad koreans — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 20:23:01 +0000

I am sick and tire of seeing SoKorean have been protesting American beef.

Why don’t we make a big deal out of it over here….Let boycot Samsung, LG…. and all Their-Hun-Die

By: mad koreans

mad koreans — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 20:16:53 +0000

Korean do not eat American beef to get Mad-Cow
They are all crazy already. Do not ask for Fair Trade; they never know what fair is.

They are always anti American. They think Kim Yong Il is much better than any one of us American.Yes right. Hope Kim Young Il will take over the South Korea. They will get what they wish.

GO KIM YONG IL!

By: Apurba

Apurba — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 21:40:58 +0000

Enjoyed reading your post & discussion.
We at trendsspotting have a similar post on mad cow buzz coverage:
http://www.trendsspotting.com/blog/?p=392

The same is available as Slideshow as well
http://www.trendsspotting.com/blog/?p=397

Do let us know what you feel.

By: David

David — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 00:32:01 +0000

Interesting side note. PD Notebook (the program which aired the beef program prior to the mass demonstrations) PD Notebook’s staff members, Ms. Jeong, said that the translations and numerous other facts pertaining to the whole beef issue were intentionally twisted and changed to fit their view of how things should be. And just like a group of responsible citizens, Koreans took to the streets to hold their candles. So, back to square one. Read my original post #47, and you’ll get the big picture. This issue is like an onion and needs to be peeled back like so. For all non-Koreans here, this advise: don’t let anyone tell you this isn’t about anti-Americanism. Because it is. Out here!!

By: David

David — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 12:12:41 +0000

Jin: Why is it unreasonable? Why is it unreasonable for the Korean public to trust the WHO and their own government? It’s all a weird public mix of nationalism, xenophobia and lack of faith in not only the WHO but also the international agencies that govern trade, which Korea is a part of and also to which Korea owes much of its current prosperity. Let me ask you a question and be honest. In your heart of hearts, do you really think that the American government along with your elected government is really trying to kill all Koreans in a mass genocide of Mad Cow disease??? I don’t have any animosity, I’m simply asking a question “where is the logical base of all this?” Everyone just talks in circles.

By: Gilbert

Gilbert — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 14:28:48 +0000

The United States exports beef to approximately 50 countries. South Korea is the only country to protest, a very interesting fact.

By: jin

jin — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 16:34:21 +0000

Not everyone, but at least some of Koreans are also aware that Korean cows are not 100% safe either. And if that’s the case, Korea must enhance their inspection and feed system as well, rather than opening the door to probably a bigger danger (and please note that by bigger danger, I mean beef from cows older than 30 months of age with SRM, not the entire American beef products).

And OIE classified the members as:

1. the countries of negligible BSE risk:

Australia, Argentina, Finland, Iceland, New Zealand, Norway, Paraguay, Singapore, Sweden and Uruguay.

2. the countires of controlled BSE risk:

Austria
Belgium
Brazil
Canada
Chile
Chinese Taipei
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Ireland
Italy
Latvia
Lichtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Mexico
Netherlands
Poland
Portugal
Slovak Republic
Slovenia
Spain
Switzerland
United Kingdom
United States of America

a) As of January 2008, 12 BSE cases in Canadian-born cattle have been identified, 11 in Canada and 1 in the United States.

Canada’s trade with the United States in cows younger than 30 months, as well as meat, resumed in July 2005 because the younger cows are thought to have a lower disease risk, The Associated Press reported.
(http://edition.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/americas/04/16/mad.cow/)

Coincidence? Cows younger than 30 months? Isn’t that what Korean citizens are insisting on, too?

b) New Case Of Mad Cow Disease Discovered In Netherlands

…….

This is the third mad cow case in the Netherlands in 2008 and is the 85th since 1997.

(http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7011017448)

c) Two people die from vCJD in Spain in 2008

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7334875.stm

d) UK, with 183,823 BSE cases confirmed so far, is also classified as a ‘controlled risk’ member.

Who could ever argue the UK beef is safe to import, based on its status in OIE?
……..

The phrase ‘controlled risk’ here can be quite misleading, and it also raises questions regarding OIE’s criteria. Not surprisingly, many countries are in fact applying stricter criteria to beef import than recommended by OIE.

And, according to WTO agreement:
Desiring to further the use of harmonized sanitary and phytosanitary measures between Members, on the basis of international standards, guidelines and recommendations developed by the the International Office of Epizootics, without requiring Members to change their appropriate level of protection of human life or health.

3. The Delegates of these Members (the undetermined risk countries including South Korea) will immediately notify the Central Bureau if BSE occurs in their countries or their territories.

: The rest of the world belongs to this category. And, remember Korea does NOT export its cows. As I said earlier, Koreans might have to enhance its system regarding beef product inspection, but now that’s a domestic issue altogether – just as if the U.S did NOT try to export the beef products of cows older than 30 months and, thereby, consume them within their country, Koreans wouldn’t have said a thing about it. In addition, not a single BSE case has been confirmed in Korea yet, whereas there have been 3 in the U.S so far, even though one of them was reportedly discovered from a Canadian cow.

—January 23, 2004 Michael Greger, M.D. for the Organic Consumers Association

The United States is violating all four concrete recommendations laid down by the World Health Organization to prevent the spread of BSE (Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy), or Mad Cow disease, into the human population. Inadequate testing of the brains of U.S. cattle is likely missing hundreds of cases of BSE and inadequate testing of the brains of human dementia victims is likely missing hundreds of cases of the human spongiform encephalopathy, sporadic Creutzfeldt Jakob disease. New research suggests that some of these cases of the sporadic form of CJD may be caused by eating BSE-infected meat. Until we follow the guidelines set forth by the World Health Organization and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and enact science-based safeguards proven to work in Europe-such as a total ban on the feeding of slaughterhouse waste, blood and excrement to farmed animals, and dramatically increased surveillance for both these diseases-the safety of the American food supply will remain in question.

We want the government to allow beef import from the U.S, if, and only if, the beef products are made from cows younger than 30 months of age.

By: Sonagi

Sonagi — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 12:47:40 +0000

The US does indeed like just about every country use some forms of protectionism, including the agricultural subsidies you mentioned. The US is not the only country with agricultural subsidies. Far from it. Every country in the EU has them, too, along with Japan and Korea. Ever heard of the Korea Tobacco and Ginseng Corporation or the heavily protected rice market not to mention the tariffs on beef not only from the US but also Australia? Oh, that’s right, as 한나라당 강재섭 Hannara Party’s Kang Jae-seop lectured US Ambassor Sandy Vershbow, “”쇠고기라는 것은 우리나라에서는 단순한 상품이 아니고 과학으로는 설명할 수 없는, 독특한 우리 국민의 정서가 쇠고기에 스며들어있다”고 설명했다.” (Beef isn’t just a simple product; unexplained by science, our people’s unique sentiments permeate beef.)

The US has long had a large trade deficit, so if the US is, as Fareed Zakaria alleges, a world leader in protectionism, it’s doing a piss poor job showing the rest of the world how to protect domestic industries with trade barriers.

I am not happy with the simplistic reviews from foreign media so far- Newsweek, Reuter, Bloomberg.

Interesting that you like Fareed Zakaria of Newsweek’s painting the US as a leader in protectionism then dismiss Newseek and other foreign media because you don’t like what they write about your ‘misunderstood’ anti-US beef, anti-2MB movement. Perhaps you could specifically cite some statements in foreign media which you feel are inaccurate and provide supporting text to show why they’re inaccurate. It’s disturbing cognitive dissonance when foreign media don’t sing the same song on the same key as the Korean media, isn’t it? I guess those foreigners just don’t understand the Korean people’s unique sentiments permeating beef.

The American revolution started with the Boston tea party didn’t it?

Yes, it did. The British weren’t just importing tea into the colonies. It was heavily taxed and the colonists were required to buy it. US beef is taxed not by the US but with a 40% tariff imposed by the Korean government and it’s still much cheaper than Korean beef. The US government is not and has never tried to force Korean consumers to buy US beef. Each Korean consumer is free to buy or not buy Korean beef when he or she goes shopping. It is the demonstrators who want to take away the choice from Korean consumers by blocking imports.

We just want to negotiate win-win trade terms that can also guarantee for public health.

If you’re really concerned about food safety, Amang, you need to push the Korean government to regulate more strictly the Korean beef industry, which does not yet meet minimum OIE standards.

By: Amang

Amang — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 06:45:06 +0000

cfpete/

I agree with you that both countries would benefit from trade.

Would it be okay if I pointed out that the US, while being one of the global leaders in international trade, is at the same time, ironically, one of the global leaders in trade protectionism?
(My opinion on this point is based on the comments of Fareed Zakaria of Newsweek & The Washington Post)

For one example of the US’s distortion of global trade and the free market system, I will mention agricultural policy.
Even the US domestic market (in agriculture) is severely distorted by government subsidies.
This sort of government intervention has of course weighed heavily on global trade for years, given the US’s major role as an agricultural exporter.

You have provided a valuable insight on the political climate in the US right now.
The truth is, the beef ban is not a protectionist issue, however the politicians may try to paint it as so.
(I am not happy with the simplistic reviews from foreign media so far- Newsweek, Reuter, Bloomberg.
I understand that there really is no reason for them to care enough to delve into the intricacies of the issue,
but misinformation by lazy journalism can exacerbate the problem)

Yes, the candle vigils are intermingled with a lot of domestic politics.
(And I’m sure you’d agree with us on the questions surrounding democracy, human rights, and the right to fair opportunity)
Admittedly, some people here have protectionist sentiment, just like some of the American populace.
However that particular arguement does not really hold up does it? For the benefit of both sides.

If either side loses out in a trade agreement, it simply can not be sustained. (Maybe it can if one side has power over the other, like trade during the colonial eras)
The American revolution started with the Boston tea party didn’t it?
We just want to negotiate win-win trade terms that can also guarantee for public health.

By: Sonagi

Sonagi — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 01:34:19 +0000

We are the importer, and, since a) America has a history of mad cow disease, and there has been questions raised about the way the U.S treats and feeds cattle b) we have right to our own safety, and c) we cannot trust the inspection system of the U.S; we are insisting on importing only the beef under 30 months of age, and on S.Korea’s right to inspect every single product on its own.

Did you know, Jin, that the OIE has delayed processing South Korea’s application for risk assessment because of inadequate testing data? Or that the OIE cited concerns about animal protein in feed, which Korea finally banned, except for fish parts, at the end of last year? Or that that OIE cited concerns about the slaughter of sick cows in Korea?

http://www.tradingmarkets.com/.site/news/Stock%20News/1622384/

You can inspect every single box of beef, and you might find a bone shard or two, especially with help from your countrymen in California, who appear to have slipped four boxes of beef meant for domestic consumption into a large export shipment to South Korea.

http://www.siouxcityjournal.com/articles/2007/06/20/news_business/local/95f009bd17e15dba86257300000c9a7f.txt

You have the right to establish your own safety standards, but you do not have the right to demand that importers exceed those standards.

It is ironic that you do not trust the US inspection system, which meets international OIE standards while South Korea’s does not. I hope for your own health and safety that you do no eat Korean beef.

By: chan

chan — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 04:59:44 +0000

Customer and consumer always are Right !!!!!!

By: jin

jin — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 03:01:41 +0000

Phew..I’ve been trying to post new messages for the last few days, but somehow my messages didn’t appear. Anyways….

All I am saying is don’t be surprised if the US reaction is extremely harsh.

Sounds threatening indeed. However, the U.S’ (always) getting the upper hand is hardly a surprise to anybody. We still believe we have a right to fair trade.
I get your point, cfpete. But, unfortunately and coincidentally, it happens to be the worst time in Korean politics as well. We wake up and go to sleep these days worried and enraged about all these horrible news the current government looks happy to come up with for Korean people.

To top it all, there is this ridiculously unacceptable deal on the table.

We are the importer, and, since a) America has a history of mad cow disease, and there has been questions raised about the way the U.S treats and feeds cattle b) we have right to our own safety, and c) we cannot trust the inspection system of the U.S; we are insisting on importing only the beef under 30 months of age, and on S.Korea’s right to inspect every single product on its own.

Do you think we’re asking too much from the government?

By: chan

chan — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 01:45:14 +0000

Customer is always Right !!!!

By: cfpete

cfpete — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 19:32:58 +0000

To me, this seems to be more about domestic South Korean politics than US beef.
However, I don’t believe South Koreans have an accurate understanding of the current political climate in America. If the beef ban succeeds, this is what will happen:
You can forget the FTA, in fact it is probably already dead.
The trade sanctions against South Korean goods will be broad and completely out of proportion to the effect on US beef. Samsung, Hyundai Kia, and LG will all have tariffs placed on their goods.
Your second largest export market will soon disappear.

I am not trying to sound threatening, nor do I agree with those who are anti-trade.
I am just informing you of the current reality in America.
South Koreans may have picked the worst time possible to bring up a trade dispute with the United States. As we speak, politicians across America are excoriating South Korea for their protectionism. Obama has made South Korea a main focus of his speeches against trade. The politicians see votes in being anti-trade, and South Korea is the talking point of the day.

Again, I believe both of our countries benefit from trade, and also believe both would suffer under protectionist policies.
I do question the efficacy of the beef ban, but it is your country.
All I am saying is don’t be surprised if the US reaction is extremely harsh.

By: Jee

Jee — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 13:30:17 +0000

Korean consumers are welcome to use whatever information they want to judge.

Thanks you agree with me.

Governments, however, must adhere to agreements they’ve signed.

I agree with you as it was an agreement signed by two presidents. but as the initial agreement does not reflect Korean people so it should be fixed for them. it does not matter if you guys think Koreans are stupid or not. The great Abraham Lincoln talked about government of the people, by the people, for the people. hope the current ‘additional talk’ would work well.

It is time for USFK to leave Korea. One reason I will be voting for Obama in November is that I believe he is more likely than McCain to reduce our global military presence and use our military properly for our own national defense only, not for attacking or defending other countries.

hope your wish comes true.

I’d really like to see hundreds of thousands of Koreans holding candlelight vigils demanding that USFK leave Korea.

I would rather wish they hold candlelight for US government divert fund from military use for their own foods safety. if that is achieved, then every problems will be solved. no war, good foods, trust in between…

btw, thanks for all your explanation.