The Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission Recommends System for Relocation of Unauthorized Agricultural Facilities on Private Land and Protection of Property Rights

Chairman Eunjeong Park of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission. / Photo by Dongju Yoon doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] A system is expected to be established for the relocation of agricultural production infrastructure installed without permission on private land and the protection of property rights.

The Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission announced on the 16th that it recommended the Korea Rural Community Corporation to prepare measures to protect property rights for agricultural production infrastructure installed without permission on private land.

Among 407 civil complaints filed with the Commission against the Korea Rural Community Corporation over the past five years, 30% annually were requests for property rights protection related to agricultural production infrastructure.

From the 1960s to the 1980s, many cases involved individual landowners verbally consenting to land use for farming activities but agricultural production infrastructure was installed without any compensation.

As the agricultural environment changed, the need for agricultural production infrastructure decreased, and land use and profit activities for non-agricultural purposes increased, leading to frequent complaints demanding relocation of facilities installed on private land, payment of land usage fees, and land purchase for property rights protection.

The Commission established judgment criteria to review key issues by complaint type and process complaints accordingly.

They conducted a field survey to understand the status of rights acquisition for agricultural production infrastructure nationwide. They secured budgets necessary for the return of unjust enrichment and land purchase, sequentially acquiring occupancy rights to clarify ownership relations.

The Korea Rural Community Corporation headquarters was instructed to check complaint status, secure budgets, proceed with litigation, and establish a dedicated organization. Branch offices were to conduct status surveys and negotiate with complainants to establish an organic resolution process with headquarters.

Na Seong-woon, the Commission's Grievance Complaint Deliberation Officer, said, "If this recommendation is implemented, property relations for a considerable area of land nationwide will be confirmed, enabling stable management," adding, "As the agricultural environment has changed, active efforts are needed to protect the rights and interests of citizens facing difficulties in land use and profit."

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