Farmers concerned amid U.S. tariff negotiations, how can gov't keep all sectors happy?

Now as for South Korea Following the Trade Minister's comments on the agricultural sector possibly feeling pain due to tariffs negotiations with U.S., the nation's farmers are striking back.

But an expert says government can prevent farmers from suffering a direct impact.

Our Kim Do-yeon reports.

The prospect of a 25 percent reciprocal U.S. tariff on Korean goods starting August 1st is putting the pressure on Seoul.

In a briefing earlier this week, Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo suggested "strategic decisions" may even be needed on agriculture always a sensitive topic when it comes to trade.

He has said, "There's never been a trade negotiation where agriculture didn't come with pain. But through these processes, our industrial competitiveness has grown. We have areas where we can show flexibility."

So far no specifics have been announced but according to reports the U.S. is demanding that Korea allow imports of beef over 30 months old, increase purchases of rice, permit imports of genetically modified crops such as potatoes, and ease quarantine measures on fruits such as apples.

Yeo's comments led to farmers' striking back.

The Korean successor Advanced Farmers Federation announced an emergency rally in front of the Presidential Office on Wednesday, accusing Seoul of planning to once again sacrifice agriculture for the sake of bigger industrial deals.

The Korean Peasants League added "We cannot eat cars or semiconductors. If the government keeps caving to U.S. pressure, the people will respond — just like they did during the anti-FTA protests and the candlelight vigils."

They also warned that with grain self-sufficiency below 20 percent, farm incomes stagnant, and over 70 percent of farm heads aged over 60, any deeper market opening could threaten Korea's food security and even national security.

An expert says to ease the concerns existing food imports could be restructured.

"The government needs to tell them that it's diversifying import routes. That means much of Australian and Canadian beef coming in will be from the U.S. Therefore, domestic agricultural and livestock industries won't be affected."

In the end, the farmers will have to wait and see whether their voices were heard when the results of the trade negotiations are announced.

Kim Doyeon, Arirang News.