South Korean imports of U.S. beef increased sixfold over the past four years, raising alarms for the domestic livestock industry, a lawmaker said Sunday.

The volume of U.S. beef imports rose from 14,112 tons in 2007 to 84,821 tons last year, according to Rep. Kwon Kyung-seok of the ruling Grand National Party, who cited data from the Korea Customs Service.

The total amount of U.S. meat imports, including pork and chicken, also increased 1.78 times in the same period from 120,950 tons to 214,776 tons, he added.

As of August, South Korea had bought 76,782 tons of U.S. beef this year, likely indicating another increase in annual imports.

“Imports of U.S. beef will grow further when the Korea-U.S. free trade agreement takes effect,” Kwon said.

“(We) need systematic support measures for (domestic) livestock farms that were affected by the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak and the rising price of animal feed,” he said, suggesting improvements in facilities and distribution systems.

The free trade pact, first signed in 2007 and then modified last year, has yet to be ratified by the legislatures of both countries. (Yonhap News)