Photo taken shows the rowdy scenes inside the National Assembly in Seoul as some lawmakers oppose to the deal Nov. 23, 2005. (Photo: Xinhua/Reuters)

Photo taken shows the rowdy scenes inside the National Assembly in Seoul as some lawmakers oppose to the deal Nov. 23, 2005. (Photo: Xinhua/Reuters)

    SEOUL, Nov. 23 (Xinhuanet) - The Republic of Korean (ROK) National Assembly on Wednesday approved a bill of increasing its rice importation quota amid intense opposition from farmers.

    Among the total 290 lawmakers, 223 cast ballots over the bill earlier in the day, with 139 in favor, 61 opposed and 23 abstentions.

    According to the bill, the ROK will raise its rice import quota to 7.96 percent of its total domestic consumption by 2014 from the current low level of 4 percent.

    The deal was made between the ROK and nine-rice-exporting nations, including the United States and China, at the end of 2004according to regulations of the World Trade Organization.

    While, in return, the ROK is to be given another 10-year grace period in introducing tariffs on rice importation.

    The parliamentary ratification was made amid nationwide rallies by farmers, who have been strongly calling for the rejection of the bill.

    Earlier in the day, hundreds of farmers used tractors and trucks to block two provincial highway in southern area of the country.

    Farmers also gathered in front of the National Assembly's main building in central Seoul to protest the ratification.

    In recent weeks, the ROK farmers have staged demonstrations almost every day in Seoul and various locations across the country. Enditem