Beef Concessions for Visa Waivers?

Kim Yon-se reports that President Lee may offer to open Korea's beef market in exchange for Korean access to the U.S. visa waiver program: Lee to Link US Beef Import to Visa Waiver (Korea Times, April 16):

President Lee Myung-bak is expected to promise a full opening of the domestic beef market to the United States in exchange for U.S. authorization of South Koreans to tour the United States under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).

In a keynote speech at the Korea Society's annual dinner in Manhattan, Tuesday, Lee hinted at the possibility that the two leaders will reach a ``deal,'' which would be acceptable to citizens of both countries.

Lee cited the Korea-U.S. free trade agreement (FTA) and the VWP as two powerful means to reinforce the nations' bilateral alliance.

``If the memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the U.S. visa waiver program for Koreans is signed on the occasion of my visit, exchanges in the human resources field will take place'' he said.

Lee also said the two countries should push for the ratification of the FTA as early as possible.

His remarks suggest that the government is willing to further open the beef market to counter moves in the U.S. Congress to delay FTA ratification unless the market is fully opened ― regardless of cattle age or bones present in beef.

The hint is hard for me to see, but maybe Kim has been told through other channels that this is meant to be a hint.  It sounds like a great idea.  Legislators have repeatedly said that Congress won't consider the agreement until Korea reopens its beef market, but that's no guaruntee that Congress would ratify even if it did consider.  So the Korean's would be understandably reluctant to give up this bargaining chip.  However, here is a very concrete quid pro quo with something for both sides.  The reopening of the beef market and Korea's inclusion in the visa waiver program would improve the atmosphere for the agreement in both countries.

Title change on April 16.