Beef

I'm going to try and make this blog more resourceful. I tend to waffle on inanely regarding trivial issues such as getting old, doing my essays and Indiana Jones. Drab stuff really. Im going to try and give a broader picture of living in Korea and give some idea of the issues and stories that go on here.

The current hot topic out here is beef. Korean beef prices are the most expensive in the world. Seriously. For the highest quality cut of Korean beef you pay 3 pounds and 50 pence for 100 grammes. Very expensive and not something you buy without consulting your retirement plan. I never buy Korean beef. I refuse to on principle. You can buy Australian or New Zealand beef here which is significantly cheaper but still overpriced because of high tarrif duties. Apparently taxed at a rate of around 50%.

The main "beef" here surrounds the newly elected Presidents decision to allow US beef back into the Korean market. The Korean people are not very happy about this. The Korean media originally made claims about the dubious quality of the American meat and "informed" the Korean public of the imminent dangers of mad cow disease being unleashed. It was even claimed that the Korean people have a genetic disposition that makes them susceptible to mad cow disease. The issue took hold of the nation and led to huge cande lit demonstrations in Seoul.

Its a ridiculous situation that causes me to grimace and shake my head in disbelief. You would think that getting cheaper beef in would make sense to most people. But then again YOU dont live in the land that logic forgot! No, the Koreans dont want the beef. US beef is more rigorously tested than Korean beef. There are no masses of reeling Americans being wiped out by poisoned meat. And yet you have over one hundred thousand people taking to the streets to protest this issue! Many of the protestors are young students manipulated by an ignorant media and political lobbyists urging them on.

Apparently the issue has evolved. The main concern now is with importing cattle over 30 months of age. I can understand Korea wanting to protect the health of its own citizens but they should at least have the moral high code of looking at the meat they eat from their own cows first. Koreans have no idea regarding the Korean meat they eat either. It reeks of double standards and chest beating anti Americanism to me. The Koreans have a habit of becoming excessively nationalistic and turning an issue into a means of venting at America and this seems to have some of that in there too.

Ultimately, the people who suffer are the Korean consumers. They will happily farm and eat dog here which is unregulated because it is actually illegal and yet take issue with the beef! Ive no issues with eating dog but I do think all food produce should be monitored and be held to international standards. So for the time being there is no US beef. And its anybodies guess how long this charade will play out.

If more American's knew about how unfair trade with Korea is I am sure that they wouldnt be pleased. Many Koreans are vehemontly opposed to signing the FTA with the US. It doesnt make sense to me. Increased competition, wider variety and reduced prices is surely good for the typical family? Many would take issue with me though. Korea exports its products around the world freely. Nothing is imported here without being taxed excessively or else turned into an issue such as this.