To the Koreans, rice is very important crop. That’s why Koreans on the negative point of view about the FTA.

Koreans have been eaten steamed-rice for a long time. So the rice is called staple food in Korea. Once, I have the chance to chat with a student from Uzbekistan and talked about the rice and the Uruguay Round. During the long time, he can’t understand why Koreans don’t want to open the rice market. He said that Koreans can eat other food like hamburger or bread instead of the rice.

But this can be totally different interpretation as a Korean. We eat rice at least once a day. Adults usually say that they feel comfortable and full when they have the meal with the rice. Foreigner can’t easily understand this culture, I know.

The rice and kimchi cannot be apart from us.