The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry announced that it has selected Jehee rice processing complex, a rice polisher and seller in Gunsan, North Jeolla Province, to export 53 tons of rice worth US$136,000 to the U.S.

The rice to be exported was grown in an eco-friendly method. It will go to Los Angeles and Chicago, where many Korean-Americans live, via local rice wholesalers from the middle of this month.

The law allows sellers to export Korean rice with permission from the agriculture minister. But until now, the government has never allowed rice exports out of fear that doing so could spur foreign countries to demand Korea fully open its rice market to imports.

The decision to allow rice exports came at an economy policy adjustment meeting on May 11, after the government concluded that Korea has dodged any pressure to open its rice market through the FTA with the U.S.

A ministry official said, "The government will allow home-grown rice exports to the point that exports do not disturb the domestic rice supply and demand, and Korea can maintain its status as a rice importing country."

That means rice exports will have to be less than the amount of rice that Korea imports. Korea has imported 34,000 tons of rice so far this year.

(englishnews@chosun.com )