Korea has produced its first strain of rose that will earn royalties from abroad. Until now, Korea has been paying W7.6 billion (US$1=W1,497) annually to grow and sell foreign roses. However, Gyeonggi-do Agricultural Research and Extension Services announced Thursday that it has signed a sales contract for "Green Beauty" roses with the world-famous Dutch company Olij Rozen.

This contract means that Olij Rozen have to pay the Korean services US$1 in royalties for every Green Beauty rose tree it grows or sells in overseas markets from next year.

/Courtesy of Gyeonggi-do Agricultural Research and Extension Services

Developed in 2005, the Green Beauty strain proved itself marketable to Olij Rozen after a year of testing in the Netherlands, Kenya and Ecuador. Light green in color, each tree offers about 20 percent more flowers than regular rose trees. The petals are also softer and thicker, making the roses easy to transport. GARES said Green Beauties also last two to three days longer than other roses.

Lee Young-soon, a researcher who developed Green Beauty, said, "Most roses being sold in Korea are of foreign origin, which means we have to pay royalties for each one of them. The success of green beauty roses is significant as it means we can compete in the global market with our own product."