S. Korean Gov't to Authorize Rice Exports

South Korea's agriculture ministry said Friday that it plans to authorize the export of locally-grown rice to help farmers seek overseas markets in the face of shrinking domestic demand.
It said that recommendations were to be distributed from Monday to agricultural cooperatives and exporters that want to sell rice abroad.

Under South Korean law, the agriculture minister has the right to permit rice exports by issuing recommendations. The need for governmental approval stems from having been forced to ship rice to Japan during the Japanese colonization of the country in the first half of the 20th century.

At the time, Korea was used as a base for rice production for Japan, and many locals were left without adequate food. The regulation is also the result of inadequate production that prevented the country from becoming fully self-sufficient until the 1990s, as there was a persistent shortage of rice in the 1960-70s.