South Korea has for the first time bought genetically-modified corn for food, risking a backlash from consumer groups to secure cheaper grains. On Feb. 26 South Korea, one of only two countries in Asia to stick with more expensive non-GMO corn for food use, said it will import 50,000 tons of US genetically-altered corn in May for manufacturing starch and sweeteners. Trade sources said the decision was economic. Corn that has not been modified costs around USD 50 a ton more than the genetically-altered variety, an important factor when corn prices have more than doubled in the last two years. (Reuters)