"Farmland Back to Farmers" ... Busan-Gyeongnam Farmers' Groups Declare 'November 100,000 Farmers General Uprising'

Simultaneous Declaration Rallies for Struggles in 12 Cities and Counties Across Gyeongnam Province

On the 31st, the Busan-Gyeongnam Farmers' Association declared the November 100,000 Farmers' General Uprising in front of the Gyeongnam Provincial Government Office.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Saeyan] Farmers from Busan and Gyeongnam declared on the 31st in front of the Gyeongnam Provincial Government Building that they will launch a nationwide farmers' uprising struggle in November and condemned the Moon Jae-in administration's agricultural policy failures.

The Busan-Gyeongnam farmers' struggle organizations held a 'Farmers' Struggle Proclamation Ceremony' in 12 cities and counties within the province on the same day. Before the press conference, the farmers raised their voices, saying, "We stand here to declare the November nationwide farmers' uprising struggle that will overturn the framework of agricultural policy by gathering the will of agriculture, rural areas, and farmers boiling with our anger and sighs."

In their declaration of struggle, they stated, "We have confirmed the public sentiment in rural areas boiling with resentment due to the Moon administration's neglect and disregard of farmers," and claimed, "The 4th disaster relief fund, which was not included in the original government plan, was decided to be given only to hobby farmers or fake farmers."

They also expressed their frustration, saying, "We held candlelight vigils four years ago in Gwanghwamun Square and in front of rural town markets, but the continuation of corrupt agricultural policies has persisted for four years."

Referring to the LH employees' farmland speculation scandal, they said, "The government says farmland should be returned to farmers, yet renewable energy generation facilities are being installed, destroying rural areas and farmland for the benefit of capital," showing their determination to stop such rural destruction.

They continued, "Food is clearly a public good. Therefore, the state's responsibility for agriculture, which produces food, must increase, and agriculture should be separated from the economic sector in national operation plans."

Finally, they emphasized, "Our struggle to realize public agriculture will be a historic turning point that will succeed in a nationwide uprising with 100,000 farmers participating on-site in November and abolish neoliberal agricultural policies."

The subsequent solidarity speeches were delivered by Ha Won-o, the standing representative of the Gyeongnam Progressive Alliance, and Kim Eun-jung, the senior deputy head of the Gyeongnam branch of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions.

Meanwhile, the farmers' organizations held struggle proclamation ceremonies in 12 cities and counties including Geochang, Hamyang, Hapcheon, Sancheong, Hadong, Sacheon, Jinju, Goseong, Haman, Uiryeong, Yangsan, and Changnyeong. In some cities and counties, vehicle protests with agricultural machinery and trucks are planned after the press conferences.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.