Required Report - public distribution

**Date:** 7/6/2006

**GAIN Report Number:** KS6074

KS6074

**Korea, Republic of**

**Biotechnology**

**Agricultural Biotechnology Report**

**2006**

**Approved by:**

![](media/image1.wmf)Larry M. Senger

U.S. Embassy

**Prepared by:**

Chris Frederick / Seung Ah Chung

**Report Highlights:**

Updated on July 2006

Sections Updated: Sections I, II, III, IV, V

Korea\'s ratification of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (CPB) has
been delayed. Korea is in the process of drafting regulatory guidelines
to implement the CPB and is expected to ratify and implement the CPB in
2007. To date, 46 biotech crops have obtained food safety approval and
environmental risk assessments for 18 biotech crops have been completed.
Korea still maintains a zero-tolerance policy for the inadvertent
presence of biotech content in processed organic products.

Includes PSD Changes: No

Includes Trade Matrix: No

Annual Report

Seoul \[KS1\]

\[KS\]

Table of Contents

[**SECTION I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 3**](#section-i.-executive-summary)

[SECTION II. BIOTECHNOLOGY TRADE AND PRODUCTION
5](#section-ii.-biotechnology-trade-and-production)

[A. Commercial Production of Biotechnology Crops
5](#a.-commercial-production-of-biotechnology-crops)

[B. Biotechnology Crops Under Development
5](#b.-biotechnology-crops-under-development)

[C. Imports of Biotechnology Crops/Products
5](#c.-imports-of-biotechnology-cropsproducts)

[D. Food Aid 6](#d.-food-aid)

[E. Production of Biotechnology Crops That Were Developed Outside of the
United States
6](#e.-production-of-biotechnology-crops-that-were-developed-outside-of-the-united-states)

[SECTION III. BIOTECHNOLOGY POLICY
7](#section-iii.-biotechnology-policy)

[A. Regulatory Framework for Agricultural Biotechnology
7](#a.-regulatory-framework-for-agricultural-biotechnology)

[B. Approval of Biotechnology Crops
9](#b.-approval-of-biotechnology-crops)

[C. Field Testing 9](#c.-field-testing)

[D. Stacked Events 9](#d.-stacked-events)

[E. Coexistence 9](#e.-coexistence)

[F. Labeling 10](#f.-labeling)

[G. Biosafety Protocol 11](#g.-biosafety-protocol)

[H. Biotechnology-Related Trade Barriers
11](#h.-biotechnology-related-trade-barriers)

[I. Pending Legislation 11](#i.-pending-legislation)

[J. Technology Fees 11](#j.-technology-fees)

[SECTION IV. MARKETING ISSUES 12](#section-iv.-marketing-issues)

[A. Market Acceptance 12](#a.-market-acceptance)

[B. Korean Market Survey on Biotechnology Products
12](#b.-korean-market-survey-on-biotechnology-products)

[SECTION V. CAPACITY BUILDING AND OUTREACH
14](#section-v.-capacity-building-and-outreach)

[A. U.S. Government or USDA Funded Outreach Activities
14](#a.-u.s.-government-or-usda-funded-outreach-activities)

[SECTION VI. REFERENCE MATERIAL 15](#section-vi.-reference-material)

[APPENDIX A. TABLE OF APPROVED BIOTECHNOLOGY PRODUCTS AS OF JULY 2006
15](#appendix-a.-table-of-approved-biotechnology-products-as-of-july-2006)

# SECTION I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Many Koreans continue to believe that biotechnology is an important
frontier for economic development for Korea in the 21^st^ century.
Proponents have had some success in making the case that biotechnology
could be an engine for growth and could solve public health and
environmental problems. Accordingly, Korea aspires to become the seventh
largest biotech country in the world by 2016. Korea's goal is to expand
biotech production to 60 trillion won (approximately \$63 billion
dollars) and exports to 25 billion won (approximately \$26 million
dollars) by that year. In 2006, the Korean government will increase its
investment in the biotechnology sector by 18.9 percent, as compared to
last year, to 801.1 billion won (approximately \$843 million dollars).
Six hundred forty-eight billion won will be used for research and
development while the remaining government assistance will be used for
the development of infrastructure.

Despite the Korean government's support for biotechnology research, the
Korean public still has a negative perception of crops and foods
produced using biotechnology. Consequently, most government funding for
biotechnology research is directed toward non-agricultural projects such
as biomedicine, stem cell research, cloning, and gene therapy.

A widely publicized human stem cell cloning scandal rocked the Korean
biotechnology industry in 2006. Nonetheless, Koreans in general still
maintain a positive view towards non-agricultural biotechnology and
still believe biotechnology will play an important role in the country's
economic development.

Local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and the media tend to
instill a negative perception of biotech agricultural products among
Korea's consumers. In general, Korean food processors respond to
consumer concerns by not using ingredients produced through
biotechnology to avoid having to label them as a "GM Food." However,
refined vegetable oils that do not contain recombinant DNA are exempt
from the "GM Food" labeling requirement. Consequently, Korea imports
substantial amounts of biotech crops and products that are further
processed to make products such as soybean oil.

Korea is a signatory to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (CPB) but
has not ratified it. Despite Korea's attempt to ratify the CPB before
the Meeting of Parties III (MOP III) in March 2006, it failed to
complete the ratification on time. However, it is believed that Korea
will ratify and implement the CPB in 2007. This would give Korea more
time to prepare implementing regulatory guidelines that are consistent
with MOP III.

Korea has a fairly extensive regulatory system for biotechnology
products. The Ministry of Agriculture & Forestry (MAF) regulates
labeling of unprocessed biotech products and conducts environmental risk
assessments (ERAs) of biotech crops. The Korea Food & Drug
Administration (KFDA) regulates food safety approval of biotech crops
and labeling of processed food products containing biotech components.
The Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Energy (MOCIE) is the national
competent authority for implementation of the CPB. MOCIE coordinates the
efforts of seven ministries that have been drafting regulations and
guidelines to implement the CPB. Korea's regulations and guidelines to
implement the CPB will have a significant impact on U.S. exports to
Korea. Some ministries have already issued draft guidelines and others
are expected to issue them in the latter part of 2006.

No crops produced using biotechnology have been commercialized in Korea.
Thus, to date, the process for biotech crop and food approval has only
been applied to imported products. Korea has two separate systems for
obtaining food safety approvals and for conducting ERAs for biotech food
and crops. At present, food safety approvals for biotechnology crops are
mandatory but ERAs are voluntary. However, ERAs will become mandatory
when the Living Modified Organism (LMO) Act goes into effect. The LMO
Act is the Korean legislation that implements the CPB. As of July 6,
2006, 46 biotech "events" (i.e., unique genetic lines produced by
genetic engineering) had obtained food safety approval. Eighteen biotech
events have completed ERAs. To date, no ERAs for intentional
environmental release (i.e., planting) have been completed. Thus, the
scope of all ERAs that have been completed so far has been limited to
assessing the environmental risk of unintentional release.

Unprocessed biotech soybeans, soybean sprouts, corn, and potatoes
intended for human consumption are required to carry GM labels. Three
percent adventitious presence of biotech components is allowed. A "GM
Food" label is not required as long as identity preserved (IP)
documentation is submitted to verify that the product is non-biotech.

For processed products and consumer-ready products, biotech labeling is
required for 27 food categories if either of the following two
situations apply:

-   Biotech soybeans or corn are one or more of the top five ingredients
    in the final product.

-   Foreign protein or DNA inserted into the product using biotechnology
    is still present in the final product.

Although Korean regulations allow for the sale of biotech foods it is
impossible to find products with a "GM Food" label in the marketplace.
Retailers explain that they do not want to be singled out for criticism
by NGOs or local media for selling biotech products. As a result, the
mandatory labeling of GM foods has effectively eliminated the consumer
choices it was supposed to facilitate.

# SECTION II. BIOTECHNOLOGY TRADE AND PRODUCTION

## A. Commercial Production of Biotechnology Crops

Korea has yet to commercially produce any biotech crops. However, Korea
is investing substantial resources in the development of such crops. In
2006, MAF invested 116.6 billion won (approximately \$122 million
dollars) to promote biotechnology including activities to develop new
biotech crops and organs from animals that can be transplanted into
humans.

## B. Biotechnology Crops Under Development

The development of biotechnology crops is being led by government
agencies. The National Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology (NIAB)
under MAF's Rural Development Administration (RDA) is currently
developing 45 separate biotech traits among 18 crops and five traits in
two animals. Herbicide tolerant rice, pepper, perilla seed, and virus
resistant potatoes are expected to become the first domestically
developed biotech crops to become commercially produced in Korea.
Korea's first biotech crops are currently undergoing environmental risk
assessments and could be produced commercially in three to four years.
No official statistics on the development of biotechnology crops by
private entities are available. Rough industry estimates indicate that
approximately 60 varieties are under development although they are all
still at the laboratory stage.

## C. Imports of Biotechnology Crops/Products

Korea imports biotechnology crops and products. Foods for human
consumption containing biotech events must undergo a complete safety
assessment conducted by the KFDA. Biotechnology crops/products that
contain unapproved events are not allowed to be imported or sold on the
Korean market. To date, 46 events have completed KFDA's assessments.
(See Section III-B for a list of approved events.) The most important
biotech crops imported from the United States are soybeans and corn,
which are used for further processing and animal feed in Korea. Biotech
crops and products destined for human consumption must carry a
biotechnology label. Non-GMO corn and soybeans must have IP
documentation or official government certification of the non-biotech
status of the shipment.

In Marketing Year 2004/2005 (MY 2004/2005: October 2004 through
September 2005) the United States supplied 2,492,590 metric tons (MT) of
corn, accounting for 28 percent of Korea's total bulk corn imports. Of
that, 2,302,740 MT was used for animal feed, and the rest was used for
processing purposes. Bulk corn imports destined for animal feed are not
segregated for biotech corn events. All corn imported for human
consumption was IP-handled, non-biotech corn. According to the Korean
Food & Drug Administration, no biotech corn has been imported for food
purposes since June 2002.

In MY 2004/2005, the United States supplied 826,739 MT of soybeans,
accounting for 67 percent of Korea's total soybean imports. Soybeans
imported from the United States consisted of 569,928 MT of soybeans used
for crushing and 256,811 MT for food processing. Since vegetable oil is
exempted from labeling, soybean imports from the United States for
crushing purposes are bulk general soybeans that contain biotech events.
All soybeans imported for food processing such as soybeans for tofu,
bean paste, bean sprouts, etc. are IP-handled non-biotech products.

## D. Food Aid 

South Korea is not a food aid recipient and is not likely to become a
food aid recipient in the future.

## E. Production of Biotechnology Crops That Were Developed Outside of the United States

At present, Korea does not commercially produce biotechnology crops of
any origin.

# SECTION III. BIOTECHNOLOGY POLICY

## A. Regulatory Framework for Agricultural Biotechnology

The Act on Transboundary Movement of Living Modified Organisms (LMO Act)
and its Presidential Decree and Ministerial Ordinance (Korea's LMO
legislation and primary regulations to implement the CPB) were drafted
by MOCIE and finalized and announced on March 28, 2001, September 30,
2005, and March 10, 2006, respectively. The legislation and regulations
will become effective 90 days after Korea's ratification of the CPB.
Guidelines for ERAs were drafted by MAF and finalized on January 9,
2002. Currently, MAF operates a voluntary ERA program. However, ERAs
will become mandatory when the CPB goes into effect in Korea. It is
expected that Korea will ratify the CPB in 2007.

The relevant ministries are currently in the process of issuing
implementing guidelines that will apply to the development, production,
import, export, sale, transportation, storage, etc. of LMOs after the
CPB is ratified. MAF issued the draft implementing guidelines "Safety
Controls for the Export/Import, etc. of LMOs Intended for Agricultural
Use" in December 2005, notified it to the WTO, and gathered comments
from its foreign trading partners. The final draft of these guidelines
are still pending. Other ministries including the Ministry of Health &
Welfare (MHW), etc. have already issued or will issue draft guidelines
in the future. It is expected that all guidelines will be drafted and
notified to the WTO by the end of 2006.

The Agricultural Product Quality Control Act is the legal basis for
MAF's labeling requirements for unprocessed soybeans, corn, bean
sprouts, and potatoes for human food use. Labeling guidelines for
unprocessed biotech crops were finalized on April 22, 2000 and entered
into force on March 1, 2001. MAF does not require that biotechnology
products used for animal feed be labeled.

The Food Sanitation Act is the legal basis for safety assessments of
products of agricultural biotechnology for human consumption and
labeling of processed food products containing biotech ingredients. MHW
has delegated the authority to draft guidelines and conduct safety
assessments of biotech crops for human consumption and to draft
guidelines for the labeling of processed food products containing
biotech ingredients to KFDA. KFDA issued safety assessment guidelines
and biotech labeling guidelines that are based on Korea's Food
Sanitation Act. The KFDA guidelines for safety assessments of biotech
crops for human consumption were finalized on August 29, 1999. A
voluntary safety assessment program, in effect since August 29, 1999,
became a mandatory program for soybeans, corn, and potatoes on February
27, 2004 and for all other biotech crops on February 27, 2005. Labeling
guidelines for processed food products containing biotech soybeans and
corn as ingredients were finalized on August 30, 2000 and enforced from
July 13, 2001.

**Ministries Involved with Agricultural Biotechnology with Their
Responsibilities**

Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy: National competent authority
for the CPB and responsible for the LMO Act and issues related to the
development, production, import, export, sales, transportation, storage,
(hereafter referred to as trade) etc. of LMOs for industrial use

Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade: National focal point for the CPB

Ministry of Agriculture & Forestry: Responsible for ERAs for
biotechnology crops including LMOs for food, feed, and processing,
labeling of unprocessed biotechnology crops, and issues related to the
trade of agriculture, forestry, and livestock LMOs

National Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology, Rural Development
Administration, MAF: Responsible for ERAs for biotechnology crops and
leading developer of biotechnology crops in Korea

Ministry of Health & Welfare: Responsible for monitoring and/or
enforcing regulations pertinent to the Food Sanitation Act and issues
related to trade of LMOs used for health and pharmaceutical purposes
including human risk assessments of such LMOs

Korea Food & Drug Administration (KFDA comes under the oversight of the
Ministry of Health & Welfare): Responsible for the issuance of food
safety approvals of biotechnology crops and the enforcement of labeling
requirements for processed food products containing biotech ingredients

Ministry of Environment: Responsible for issues related to the trade of
LMOs that are used for the purpose of environmental purification or
release into the natural environment (this does not include agricultural
LMOs for planting) including risk assessments for such LMOs

Ministry of Science & Technology: Responsible for issues related to the
trade of LMOs that are used for testing and research including risk
assessments for such LMOs

Ministry of Maritime Affairs & Fisheries: Responsible for issues related
to the trade of fishery and maritime LMOs including risk assessments for
such LMOs

**Role and Membership of the Biosafety Committee and Its Political
Implications**

In accordance with Article 31 of the LMO Act, a Biosafety Committee
(Committee) was established under the Prime Minister to review the
following factors relevant to the import and export of LMOs:

-   Factors relevant to the implementation of the protocol

-   Establishment and implementation of the safety management plan for
    LMOs

-   Notification of a list of LMOs that pose no harm in accordance with
    the provisions of Article 15

-   Re-examination in accordance with the provisions of Article 18 of
    appeals by an applicant who fails to get import approval, etc.

-   Factors relevant to legislation and notification pertinent to the
    safety management, import, and export, etc. of LMOs

-   Factors relevant to the prevention of damage caused by LMOs and
    measures taken to mitigate damage caused by LMOs

-   Factors requested for review by the Chair of the Committee or the
    head of competent national authority.

The Committee (including the Chair) is composed of 15 or more members
but cannot exceed 20 members. The Prime Minister is the Chair. Committee
members will include ministers from nine ministries (the seven relevant
ministries noted above plus the Ministry of Finance and Economy and the
Ministry of Education). Private sector specialists can also be members
of the Committee. The Committee may have subcommittees and technical
committees. The Presidential Decree designates necessary factors
relevant to the formation, function, operation, etc. of the Committee,
subcommittees, and technical committees. The Committee will be formed
when the CPB goes into effect in Korea.

The most important role of the Committee is to reconcile different
positions among the relevant ministries. As each relevant ministry holds
authority and responsibility in its respective areas, it may not be easy
to reach consensus on some issues. In such cases, the Prime Minister as
the Chair of the Committee can be called upon to resolve matters lacking
consensus.

## B. Approval of Biotechnology Crops

To date, there has been no commercial production of biotechnology crops
in Korea. Thus, up until now, the approval process has only been applied
to imported products. Korea has two separate approval systems for
biotechnology crops: approvals for human consumption (food safety
approval) and environmental risk assessments (ERAs). At present, food
safety approvals for biotechnology crops are mandatory while ERAs are
voluntary. However, ERAs will become mandatory when the LMO Act, Korea's
legislation to implement the CPB, goes into effect. Implementation of
the LMO Act is expected to occur in 2007.

As of July 6, 2006, food safety approvals have been given to 46 events
and 18 events have completed ERAs. The scope of ERAs so far has been
limited to approval of biotechnology crops for unintentional release
into the environment. No ERAs have been completed for intentional
release (i.e., planting). Thus, to date, no product has been approved
for commercial production. (Please refer to Section IV, Appendix A for
the status of approval of biotechnology crops in Korea.)

## C. Field Testing

MAF and RDA have not decided which agricultural biotechnology products
will be subject to in-country field tests. It is expected, though, that
MAF and RDA will require in-country field tests for LMOs used for
planting seed and exempt LMOs to be used for food, feed, and processing
from in-country field tests. However, specifics regarding in-country
field tests have not yet been decided.

For biotechnology crops being developed by RDA, field trials must follow
the "Guidelines for Research and Handling of Recombinant Organisms
Related to Agricultural Research." Voluntary guidelines entitled
"Guidelines for Research of Recombinant Organisms" issued by the
Ministry of Health & Welfare exist for biotechnology crops under
development by private entities including universities. However, in
accordance with the LMO Act, the relevant ministries are in the process
of establishing guidelines that biotech developers and laboratories will
have to comply with when the CPB goes into effect in Korea.

## D. Stacked Events

KFDA does not require additional approval for stacked events if they
meet the following criteria:

-   Traits that are being combined were already approved individually.

-   There is no difference in the given traits, intake amount, edible
    part and processing method in the stacked event and the conventional
    non-biotech counterpart.

-   There is no crossbreeding among subspecies.

With regard to ERAs, MAF has not set its policy on the treatment of
stacked events. When MAF sets its policy, FAS/Seoul will prepare a
voluntary GAIN report explaining the policy.

## E. Coexistence

Although many Korean consumers have negative sentiments about biotech
crops and products, Korean regulation provides for the production,
import, use and consumption of biotech crops and products. Similarly,
regulations exist in Korea that provide for organic agricultural
production. At present, however, Korean regulations for organic
processed products are mainly focused on the components of the final
product rather than on the production process. Accordingly, the Korean
Food & Drug Administration maintains a zero-tolerance policy for the
inadvertent presence of GM content in processed organic products.

## F. Labeling

Both unprocessed biotech crops for human consumption and processed food
products containing biotech ingredients must carry "GM Food" labels.
Unprocessed biotech soybeans, soybean sprouts, corn, and potatoes
intended for human consumption are required to carry "GM Food" labels.
KFDA regulations for processed products, including consumer-ready
products, require biotech labeling for 27 categories of foods if biotech
soybeans or corn are one or more of the top five ingredients in the
finished product or if a foreign protein or foreign DNA is present in
the finished product.

MAF allows for a three percent adventitious presence of biotech
components in unprocessed non-biotech products. MAF's threshold is the
default threshold for processed food products that are subject to
biotech labeling requirements. KFDA also allows for a three percent
adventitious presence of biotech components in raw soybeans and corn
destined for human consumption. Intentional mixture of biotech
ingredients triggers the labeling requirement even if the final level of
biotech presence is within the three percent threshold.

**Contents of Label Texts**

Shipments that consist of 100 percent unprocessed biotech crops for
human consumption should carry labels stating "GM 'commodity'" (e.g. "GM
soybeans"). Shipments that contain some biotech-enhanced crops should
carry labels stating that the product "contains GM 'commodity'" (e.g.
"contains GM soybeans"). Shipments that may contain biotech-enhanced
crops should carry labels stating that the product "may contain GM
'commodity'" (e.g. "may contain GM soybeans").

Processed products containing biotech ingredients should be labeled as
follows:

\- Products that contain biotech corn or soybeans composing less than
100 percent of the product ingredients should be labeled as "GM food" or
"food containing GM corn or soybeans."

\- Corn or soybean products that are 100 percent biotech products should
be labeled "GM" or "GM corn or soybeans."

\- Products that may contain biotech corn or soybeans should be labeled
"May contain GM corn or soybeans."

**Use of Labels Such as "Biotech-Free", "Non-Biotech", "GMO-Free", or
"Non-GMO"**

Concerning unprocessed biotech crops for human consumption, MAF allows a
voluntary "non-GMO" label if the product is composed of 100-percent
non-biotech enhanced material. For products with "non-GMO" labels, the
maximum GMO threshold allowance is zero. Unprocessed bulk crops in which
there is an adventitious presence of biotech components are not
permitted to carry a "non-GMO" label. Importers must keep the relevant
documents that support a "non-GMO" claim for "non-GMO"-labeled products.
Such documents can include a testing certificate stating that there is
no presence of GMO components. With regard to processed food products,
however, KFDA does not permit "non-GMO" or "GMO-free" labeling even if
products do not contain any biotech components.

At the retail level, it is very rare to find products that carry any
sort of "GM Food" label as retailers tend to avoid placing biotech
products on their shelves. Retailer behavior in this regard is the
result of a widely held perception that Korean consumers hold negative
views about biotech products. (See Attaché Reports KS1004 and KS1046 for
more details.)

## G. Biosafety Protocol

Korea signed the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (CPB) but has not
ratified it to date. After repeated delays, Korea is now thought likely
to ratify and implement the CPB in 2007. However, the exact timing for
ratification remains unclear. Regulations to implement the CPB (i.e.,
the Presidential Decree and Ministerial Ordinance of the LMO Act) were
finalized September 30, 2005 (the Presidential Decree) and March 10,
2006 (the Ministerial Ordinance). Since these regulations were
finalized, implementing guidelines from some relevant ministries have
been issued and other ministries will issue them shortly. The timing of
final entry into force of the CPB and the related guidelines will depend
on whether Korea chooses a simultaneous or consecutive process for the
ratification and implementation of regulatory guidelines. In order to
avoid a disruption of trade in biotech products when the CPB is
implemented, it is essential that ERAs be completed before the CPB and
implementing regulations go into effect. To date, 18 of the 27 biotech
crops have completed ERAs. Treatment of stacked events could be
problematic as Korea has not set its policy for conducting ERAs for
stacked events. After implementation of the CPB, sales and imports of
biotechnology crops will not be allowed unless their ERAs have been
completed.

## H. Biotechnology-Related Trade Barriers

Recently, KFDA revised its labeling guidelines in order to formalize its
policy regarding the zero tolerance for biotech components in organic
products. Exporters from any country where biotech crops are produced
could face difficulty in exporting organic products to Korea because of
Korea's zero-tolerance policy.

A StarLink-free certificate and StarLink-free statement are still
required to accompany shipments of corn intended for food use and
corn-based processed food products from the United States.

## I. Pending Legislation

As noted in paragraph G above, the relevant ministries have been issuing
regulatory guidelines that elaborate on the requirements established in
the LMO Act. The guidelines define in detail how the LMO Act will be
implemented and, therefore, have the potential to affect U.S. exports.
Because some regulatory guidelines have trade implications, the relevant
ministries have notified them to the WTO and have collected comments
from foreign trading partners. Future relevant guidelines will also be
notified to the WTO. Finalization of draft guidelines is expected before
the end of 2006 or early 2007.

## J. Technology Fees

Korea does not commercially produce biotechnology crops, neither does it
have legislation in place to collect technology fees.

# SECTION IV. MARKETING ISSUES

## A. Market Acceptance

Contradictory views about biotechnology characterize the Korean
marketplace. Koreans hold positive views about the use of biotechnology
in human and animal research, bio-medicine, and in the treatment of
disease. On the other hand, Koreans feel negatively about use of
biotechnology to produce food. Polls indicate that Koreans are willing
to pay extra for non-biotech products.

Non-governmental organizations and the media have reinforced negative
consumer perceptions surrounding the use of biotechnology to produce
food. Concerns about negative reactions from NGOs, media, and individual
consumers severely limit retailers' willingness to stock products with a
"GM Food" label. Nonetheless, Korea imports substantial amounts of food
ingredients produced using biotechnology for further processing into
vegetable oil, corn syrup, and other products that are exempt from "GM
Food" labeling requirements.

## B. Korean Market Survey on Biotechnology Products 

**[Post Survey]{.underline}**

The Agricultural Trade Office in Seoul conducted two market surveys on
biotechnology products. The first survey was conducted in 2001 and
targeted consumers. The survey resulted in responses from 1,500 regular
shoppers. The second survey polled 100 professors in 2003.

Results of the two surveys revealed that both professors and consumers
had concerns about biotech food products although the degree of concern
was different. Fifty-two percent of the professors agreed that biotech
foods were safe for consumers, whereas only 21 percent of consumers did.
Only 14 percent of consumers stated that they would ever purchase food
with biotech contents and 51 percent of consumers thought that biotech
food would be bad for their health. Only 5 percent of professors thought
that biotech foods would be bad for their health. In the 2003 survey of
professors, 81 percent supported the use of biotechnology in food and
agriculture mainly as a means to increase production. However, a large
percentage of the professors felt that biotech foods should be
segregated in the market and 57 percent were willing to pay more for
non-biotech agricultural products.

**Korea Biosafety Clearing House Survey**

In November 2005, the Korea Biosafety Clearing House conducted a survey
of 700 consumers residing in six major cities in Korea to identify
consumer perceptions on biotechnology and LMOs. The survey showed that
only six percent of the respondents had not heard of biotechnology.
Forty-seven point seven percent and 1.9 percent of the respondents knew
about biotechnology and LMOs "somewhat" or "well." With regard to
preferences for the use of biotechnology, 40.4 percent of respondents
preferred application of biotechnology in the pharmaceutical sector and
32.9 percent preferred application in the agriculture and food sectors.
Seventy point four percent and 64.9 percent of respondents thought that
LMOS would be harmful to human health and the environment, respectively.
Sixty-eight percent of the respondents thought LMOs were "slightly" or
"very" beneficial to humans while 45.1 percent of the respondents said
that they would purchase biotech products. Fifty-five point three
percent of the respondents said that they had an overall positive
outlook on LMOs. The survey revealed that responses by different
demographic groups did not vary significantly. Ninety-five percent of
respondents said that labeling of biotech products should be mandatory.
Overall, compared to the survey conducted in the previous year (please
refer to the November 2004 survey below), except for perceptions
regarding the human safety aspect, overall perceptions regarding LMOs
have improved.

In October 2004, the Korea Biosafety Clearing House conducted a survey
of 240 companies nationwide (not limited to biotech-related companies)
to determine industry's perception of biotechnology and LMOs. The survey
showed that most companies thought that the commercial application of
biotechnology was desirable and that biotechnology could improve human
life. Seventy-two percent of the companies thought that the biotech
product market would expand rapidly. Seventy-five percent of all
companies thought that the development of biotech products would be
beneficial to their company. Forty-four percent of the companies
indicated that they might develop or deal with biotech products in the
future. Seventy-six percent of all companies thought that society would
recognize the need for biotech products over time.

In November 2004, the Korea Biosafety Clearing House conducted a survey
of 1,518 people nationwide to identify consumer perceptions regarding
biotechnology and LMOs. The survey showed that 84 percent of respondents
were aware of biotechnology. Sixty-five percent and 67 percent of
respondents expressed concern that LMOs might be harmful to human health
and environment, respectively. Six percent of the respondents thought
that LMOs were greatly beneficial to humans whereas 49 percent thought
they were not beneficial. Sixty-seven percent of the respondents said
that they would not purchase biotech products whereas only 2 percent
were willing to purchase them. Consumer acceptance of LMOs was very low;
only 3.5 percent of the respondents had a positive outlook on LMOs in
terms of what they believed would be consumer acceptance. The survey
also revealed that housewives showed the least willingness to purchase
biotech products.

# SECTION V. CAPACITY BUILDING AND OUTREACH

## A. U.S. Government or USDA Funded Outreach Activities

A number of activities have been organized and funded to provide
biotechnology outreach in Korea:

-   Biotech press mission to the United States consisting of six
    reporters in 2000 sponsored by the USDA

-   Cochran Fellowship Program for three Korean biotechnology regulators
    in 2002

-   Inclusion of biotech briefings for participants in the State
    Department's International Visitors Program since 1999

-   Video conference sponsored by the USDA for professors and media in
    2002

-   Speakers from the USDA, the State Department, and other
    agencies/organizations for various local symposiums organized by
    Korean government agencies including KFDA, RDA, the Korea Research
    Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology, etc.

-   U.S. Grains Council's annual biotech program for media, NGOs,
    scientists, etc.

# SECTION VI. REFERENCE MATERIAL

## APPENDIX A. TABLE OF APPROVED BIOTECHNOLOGY PRODUCTS AS OF JULY 2006

\* FA: Food approval

\* ERA: Environmental Risk Assessments (not for planting)

+---------+----------------+----------------+-------------+-----------+
| Crop    | Event          | Trait Category | Applicant   | Approval  |
+---------+----------------+----------------+-------------+-----------+
| Soybean | GTS40-3-2      | Herbicide      | Monsanto    | FA\* and  |
|         |                | Tolerance      |             | ERA\*     |
|         |                |                |             |           |
|         |                | (HT)           |             |           |
+---------+----------------+----------------+-------------+-----------+
| Corn    | Mon810         | Insect         | Monsanto    | FA and    |
|         |                | Resistance     |             | ERA       |
|         |                | (IR)           |             |           |
+---------+----------------+----------------+-------------+-----------+
| Corn    | TC1507         | HT, IR         | Dupont      | FA and    |
|         |                |                |             | ERA       |
+---------+----------------+----------------+-------------+-----------+
| Corn    | GA21           | HT             | Monsanto    | FA and    |
|         |                |                |             | ERA       |
+---------+----------------+----------------+-------------+-----------+
| Corn    | NK603          | HT             | Monsanto    | FA and    |
|         |                |                |             | ERA       |
+---------+----------------+----------------+-------------+-----------+
| Corn    | Bt 11          | HT, IR         | Syngenta    | FA and    |
|         |                |                |             | ERA       |
+---------+----------------+----------------+-------------+-----------+
| Corn    | T25            | HT             | Aventis /   | FA and    |
|         |                |                |             | ERA       |
|         |                |                | Bayer       |           |
+---------+----------------+----------------+-------------+-----------+
| Corn    | MON863         | IR             | Monsanto    | FA and    |
|         |                |                |             | ERA       |
+---------+----------------+----------------+-------------+-----------+
| Corn    | Bt176          | IR             | Syngenta    | FA and    |
|         |                |                |             | ERA       |
+---------+----------------+----------------+-------------+-----------+
| Corn    | DLL25          | HT             | Monsanto    | FA        |
+---------+----------------+----------------+-------------+-----------+
| Corn    | DBT418         | HT, IR         | Monsanto    | FA        |
+---------+----------------+----------------+-------------+-----------+
| Corn    | MON863 X NK603 | Ht, IR         | Monsanto    | FA        |
+---------+----------------+----------------+-------------+-----------+
| Corn    | MON863 X       | IR             | Monsanto    | FA        |
|         | MON810         |                |             |           |
+---------+----------------+----------------+-------------+-----------+
| Corn    | MON810 X GA21  | HT, IR         | Monsanto    | FA        |
+---------+----------------+----------------+-------------+-----------+
| Corn    | MON810 X NK603 | HT, IR         | Monsanto    | FA        |
+---------+----------------+----------------+-------------+-----------+
| Corn    | MON810 X       | HT, IR         | Monsanto    | FA        |
|         | MON863 X NK603 |                |             |           |
+---------+----------------+----------------+-------------+-----------+
| Corn    | 1507 X NK603   | HT, IR         | Dupont      | FA        |
+---------+----------------+----------------+-------------+-----------+
| Corn    | Das-59122-7    | HT, IR         | Dupont      | FA and    |
|         |                |                |             | ERA       |
+---------+----------------+----------------+-------------+-----------+
| Corn    | Mon88017       | HT, IR         | Monsanto    | FA        |
+---------+----------------+----------------+-------------+-----------+
| Corn    | Das-59122-7 X  | HT, IR         | Dupont      | FA        |
|         | 1507 X NK603   |                |             |           |
+---------+----------------+----------------+-------------+-----------+
| Corn    | 1507 X         | HT, IR         | Dupont      | FA        |
|         | Das-59122-7    |                |             |           |
+---------+----------------+----------------+-------------+-----------+
| Corn    | Das-59122-7 X  | HT, IR         | Dupont      | FA        |
|         | NK603          |                |             |           |
+---------+----------------+----------------+-------------+-----------+
| Corn    | Bt11 X GA21    | HT, IR         | Syngenta    | FA        |
+---------+----------------+----------------+-------------+-----------+
| Corn    | MON88017 X     | HT, IR         | Monsanto    | FA        |
|         | MON810         |                |             |           |
+---------+----------------+----------------+-------------+-----------+
| Cotton  | 531            | IR             | Monsanto    | FA and    |
|         |                |                |             | ERA       |
+---------+----------------+----------------+-------------+-----------+
| Cotton  | 757            | IR             | Monsanto    | FA and    |
|         |                |                |             | ERA       |
+---------+----------------+----------------+-------------+-----------+
| Cotton  | 1445           | HT             | Monsanto    | FA and    |
|         |                |                |             | ERA       |
+---------+----------------+----------------+-------------+-----------+
| Cotton  | 15985          | IR             | Monsanto    | FA and    |
|         |                |                |             | ERA       |
+---------+----------------+----------------+-------------+-----------+
| Cotton  | 15985 X 1445   | HT, IR         | Monsanto    | FA        |
+---------+----------------+----------------+-------------+-----------+
| Cotton  | 531 X 1445     | HT, IR         | Monsanto    | FA        |
+---------+----------------+----------------+-------------+-----------+
| Cotton  | 281/3006       | HT, IR         | Dow Agro    | FA        |
|         |                |                | Science     |           |
+---------+----------------+----------------+-------------+-----------+
| Cotton  | Mon88913       | HT             | Monsanto    | FA        |
+---------+----------------+----------------+-------------+-----------+
| Cotton  | LLCotton 25    | HT             | Bayer       | FA and    |
|         |                |                |             | ERA       |
+---------+----------------+----------------+-------------+-----------+
| Cotton  | Bollgard II    | HT, IR         | Monsanto    | FA        |
|         | 15985 X        |                |             |           |
|         | Roundup Ready  |                |             |           |
|         | Flex MON88913  |                |             |           |
+---------+----------------+----------------+-------------+-----------+
| Cotton  | BG2XLL         | HT, IR         | Bayer       | FA        |
|         | (Bollgard II   |                |             |           |
|         | 15985 X        |                |             |           |
|         | LLCotton 25)   |                |             |           |
+---------+----------------+----------------+-------------+-----------+
| Canola  | GT73           | HT             | Monsanto    | FA and    |
|         |                |                |             | ERA       |
+---------+----------------+----------------+-------------+-----------+
| Canola  | Ms8/Rf3        | HT             | Bayer       | FA and    |
|         |                |                |             | ERA       |
+---------+----------------+----------------+-------------+-----------+
| Canola  | T45            | HT             | Bayer       | FA and    |
|         |                |                |             | ERA       |
+---------+----------------+----------------+-------------+-----------+
| Canola  | MS1/RF1        | HT             | Bayer       | FA        |
+---------+----------------+----------------+-------------+-----------+
| Canola  | MS1/RF2        | HT             | Bayer       | FA        |
+---------+----------------+----------------+-------------+-----------+
| Canola  | Topas1912      | HT             | Bayer       | FA        |
+---------+----------------+----------------+-------------+-----------+
| Potato  | SPBT02-05      | IR             | Monsanto    | FA        |
+---------+----------------+----------------+-------------+-----------+
| Potato  | RBBT06         | IR             | Monsanto    | FA        |
+---------+----------------+----------------+-------------+-----------+
| Potato  | Newleaf Y      | IR, Virus      | Monsanto    | FA        |
|         |                | Resistance     |             |           |
|         |                | (VR)           |             |           |
+---------+----------------+----------------+-------------+-----------+
| Potato  | Newleaf Plus   | IR, VR         | Monsanto    | FA        |
+---------+----------------+----------------+-------------+-----------+
| Sugar   | H7-1           | HT             | Monsanto    | FA        |
| beet    |                |                |             |           |
+---------+----------------+----------------+-------------+-----------+