S. Korean farmers oppose free trade deal with US

South Korean farmers remain defiant in their opposition to a US-South Korea Free Trade agreement, even as their president Lee Myung-bak signs the laws necessary to implement the deal with Washington. Farmers believe the deal will give US imports an unfair advantage, as they will be cheaper. South Korea’s finance ministry says the government has already spent about 27 percent of its budget on helping farmers whose business might suffer due to the influx of cheaper produce. President Lee Myung-bak approved the trade bill on 29 November and it is expected to take effect on January 1. But the deal is causing strong protests in South Korea. Opponents say it favours Washington over South Korean workers and have demanded Lee’s resignation.