NongHyup and Ministry of Justice Conduct Rural Labor Assistance

"Contributing to Resolving Labor Shortages During the Farming Season"

Lee Seong-hee, President of the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation (right), is seen helping with farm work at a peach orchard located in Dongnae-myeon, Chuncheon-si, Gangwon-do, on the 13th, together with Park Beom-gye, Minister of Justice. (Photo by National Agricultural Cooperative Federation)

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] The Agricultural Cooperative announced on the 13th that it conducted rural labor assistance at a peach farm located in Dongnae-myeon, Chuncheon-si, Gangwon-do, in collaboration with the Ministry of Justice to address the busy farming season.

About 30 participants, including Lee Seonghee, Chairman of the NongHyup Central Association, Park Beomgye, Minister of Justice, officials from both organizations, and social service order recipients, took part in the labor assistance. Participants adhered to quarantine rules by wearing masks and maintaining social distancing during the work.

Since signing the 'Social Service Order Recipients Rural Support MOU' in April 2010, NongHyup and the Ministry of Justice have carried out various cooperative projects such as rural labor assistance and residential environment improvement.

Last year, approximately 77,000 social service order recipients participated in rural labor assistance, contributing to alleviating the labor shortage exacerbated by COVID-19. The social service order recipients rural support project operates as part of the social service order system, allowing individuals who have committed minor legal violations to live freely instead of being detained, while engaging in unpaid public service work such as rural labor assistance, construction, electrical work, wallpapering, and beauty services for a set period.

Lee Seonghee, Chairman of the NongHyup Central Association, said, "We appreciate the Ministry of Justice for providing great support to farmers through the social service order recipients rural support agreement signed with NongHyup, and we ask for continued cooperation to promote the development of our agriculture and rural areas."

Park Beomgye, Minister of Justice, responded, "We will actively link social service orders with rural labor assistance to share the value and importance of agriculture and support farmers facing increased labor shortages due to COVID-19."

NongHyup has implemented various rural labor support projects, supporting 1.54 million workers last year alone. This year, it is actively promoting a nationwide movement to participate in rural labor assistance.

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