The Korea Federation of Retail Organizations plans to hold a nationwide rally at the end of this month to call for protection measures related to the free trade pacts with the European Union and the United States.
The group, which represents 1.25 million retailers, said some 30 retail business-related organizations have already agreed to the rally out of fear that the current and pending FTAs could directly affect their sales.
About 100,000 protestors are expected to participate in the event held in Yeouido, Seoul, with the specific location and time still undecided.
“The government’s budget plan, which was recently announced, contained measures to protect the agricultural sector, but those for smaller retailers were not included,” said a group official.
“In order to continue the current positive mood for shared-growth initiative, the government should make more efforts to take actions following FTAs.”
The official admitted that the government’s restrictions on “super supermarkets” and “maintenance repair and operating” by large companies have helped small retailers defend their business districts.
The Ministry of Strategy and Finance said Tuesday that it will increase the budget to protect smaller businesses from the potential impacts of FTAs from 1.61 trillion won ($1.34 billion) to 1.85 trillion won.
The ministry, however, did not specify measures for retailers.
By Lee Ji-yoon (
jylee@heraldcorp.com)
