Rep. Kim Seung-nam Introduces Amendment to Farmland Act to Prevent Farmland Speculation

Even if agricultural land is acquired for farming purposes, the law requires obtaining an 'Agricultural Management Confirmation Certificate' for 5 years
Annual agricultural product sales and submission of farmer identification certificates are also man

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Hyung-kwon] Congressman Kim Seung-nam (Jeonnam Goheung·Boseong·Jangheung·Gangjin) announced on the 31st that he has introduced a partial amendment bill to the Farmland Act to prevent farmland speculation.

The current law restricts farmland ownership by non-farmers by requiring the submission of an 'Agricultural Management Plan' to the relevant local government when acquiring farmland, followed by an examination to issue a 'Certificate of Eligibility for Farmland Acquisition.'

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and local governments also conduct annual farmland surveys to verify whether farming is actually being carried out, but in reality, it is difficult to distinguish farmland ownership for speculative purposes.

This is because the criteria for farming are unclear, allowing deception by merely planting seedlings or applying pesticides or fertilizers.

Accordingly, the amendment to the Farmland Act proposed by Congressman Kim Seung-nam mandates that even if a 'Certificate of Eligibility for Farmland Acquisition' has been obtained to acquire farmland, the owner must annually obtain an 'Agricultural Management Confirmation Certificate,' which includes an agricultural confirmation and the annual sales amount of agricultural products from the farmland, for five years after acquisition.

Additionally, the amendment retroactively applies the requirement to obtain the Agricultural Management Confirmation Certificate to farmland acquired within two years prior to the enforcement of the law, thereby restricting ownership of farmland acquired for speculative purposes in the past.

Congressman Kim Seung-nam said, "This amendment supplements the Farmland Act to ensure that only those who will farm can acquire farmland, upholding the principle of 'Gyeongja Yujeon' (land should be farmed by those who cultivate it)." He added, "Through this amendment, we expect to prevent farmland ownership for speculative purposes and ensure that farmland is fully utilized for agricultural management."

Meanwhile, Article 10 of the current Farmland Act stipulates that if farmland is not used for farming purposes, it must be disposed of to someone other than a household member.

If this amendment passes, farmland owners who do not obtain the Agricultural Management Confirmation Certificate will not be able to own farmland and must dispose of it to others.

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