President aide quits over garlic accord

Han Duck-soo, senior Blue House secretary for economic affairs, resigned Friday, saying the buck stops with him regarding the controversial Seoul-Beijing agreement on garlic reached two years ago. Suh Kyu-yong, vice minister of agriculture and forestry, also stepped down.

Mr. Han, who was minister of trade when the pact was reached, and Mr. Suh, who was deputy minister of agriculture, were deeply involved in the bilateral garlic negotiations. "I led the negotiations, so I take full responsibility," said Mr. Han, who joined the Blue House this year.

The government has been criticized by farmers for not making clear that a quota and tariff on Chinese garlic would expire three years after the signing.

"The state was never hiding the details. There was a general consensus that we should not give up $500 million in exports because of $15 million in garlic imports from China," Mr. Han said.

by Chun Young-gi