South Korea will begin talks with Canada and India in May to discuss the further opening of its rice market.

Canada and India notified South Korea of their decision to take part in the talks early Wednesday morning.

The two countries are the latest to inform Seoul of their willingness to participate in bilateral talks on the liberalization of Korea's rice market.

A total of eight countries have so far agreed to take part in the rice talks, including the United States, China, Australia, Thailand, Argentina and Egypt.

Under the 1994 Uruguay Round multilateral trade negotiations, South Korea must conclude talks on the opening of its rice market by the end of this year.