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In the upcoming World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations, the government says it will not insist on favors given to developing countries. Farmers groups are protesting.

Reporter Park Min-ha reports.

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The decision is based on US pressure.

In July, US President Trump said countries that have achieved economic growth should put down developing country preferences.

The pressure has been a burden on us, as the United States is about to decide whether to add tariffs under the Trade Extension Act next month.

[Hong Nam Ki / Deputy Prime Minister: There is little possibility that we will recognize the benefits of developing countries in the future WTO negotiations, and there is a concern that the later the decision, the more the cause and the power of negotiation will be lost.]

The government explained that there will be no impact on existing benefits, as it will give up developing country preferences in future negotiations.

Korea imposes high tariffs on some agricultural products, such as 513% of rice, and grants KRW 1.49 trillion in agricultural subsidies annually.

But there is great uncertainty in the future.

WTO agricultural negotiations have been well known for more than a decade, but tariff reductions and subsidies will be inevitable when they resume.

Farmers' groups say they have given up food sovereignty and demanded special measures.

[Park Haeng-deok / Chairman of the National Federation of Farmers' Unions: Abolition of agriculture, policy of ignoring agriculture, policy of disrespecting farmers.]

The government has decided to amend the law to introduce public interest debit schemes required by farmers' organizations.

The public debit system provides subsidies regardless of crops and prices.

(Video coverage: Park Dae-young, Lee Jae-young, Video editing: Park Jin-hoon)