Korea will resume imports of U.S. beef on the bone if the World Organization for Animal Health confirms the U.S as a “controlled risk country,” meaning it is free from mad cow disease. The director general for the Korea-U.S. FTA at the Trade Ministry, Lee Hae-min, said on Monday in a series of radio interviews. "If the U.S becomes a controlled-risk country, we should resume imports of U.S. beef except specified risk material, and meat of cows under 30 months except parts of the small intestine and the tonsils,” Lee said. “That means Galbi (ribs) will be imported."

Currently, only boneless meat of cows under 30 months is cleared for import. An official with the Agriculture Ministry said, "The U.S is highly likely to demand that Korea open its beef market including beef with bones such as LA Galbi, Korean-style rib cut, after the OIE's ruling. We can’t rule out demand to import beef of cows over 30 months from the U.S government."

Director Lee said Korea may shorten its own quarantine procedures after the OIE ruling. "After OIE confirmation, Korea will decide to resume American beef import based on eight inspection steps. If we use OIE documents on the risk evaluation of American boneless beef, we can reduce the eight steps and inspection period,” Lee said. He denied rumors of a backroom deal. "The ministry will open all agreements in Korean and English around May 20 after legal review procedure with the U.S.," he promised.

(englishnews@chosun.com )