Minister Jeong Hwang-geun: "We will critically examine whether prices were raised despite not using much more expensive raw materials"

Press Conference of Jeong Hwang-geun, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

Jeong Hwang-geun, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, stated on the 16th, "We will closely examine the act of raising prices despite not using much of a specific item (raw material price) and, if necessary, strongly request the relevant industry to lower prices."

At a press briefing held at the Government Complex Sejong on the same day, Minister Jeong said, "Once prices go up, they do not come down," urging the food and dining industry once again to refrain from raising prices.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, due to weather disasters and other factors, the price increase rate of agricultural and livestock products has expanded, rising 2.3% in August, 3.7% in September, and 8.0% in October.

In response, the Ministry has appointed the Vice Minister as the person responsible for price stabilization and is focusing on managing 28 items. In particular, within the 'Processed Food Price Management Task Force (TF),' nine processed food specialists have been designated to monitor the price situation for bread, milk, ice cream, coffee, snacks, ramen, sugar, cooking oil, and flour.

Minister Jeong said, "We will strengthen on-site communication led by item-specific managers to frequently grasp trends and identify and resolve on-site difficulties such as corporate cost burdens," adding, "Currently, tariff quotas are applied to 42 items, and if the industry requests, we will cooperate as much as possible regarding the establishment or extension of tariff quotas."

Regarding 'shrinkflation,' where prices are raised by reducing quantity instead, he criticized it as a 'trick' and said, "Consumer groups need to actively step forward." He emphasized, "For example, reducing from 100g to 90g and quietly changing only the labeling is a trick. While government agencies will discuss whether there is a legal issue, consumer groups must actively intervene."

On the first occurrence of bovine lumpy skin disease domestically this year, he evaluated, "I think the response was relatively good." Minister Jeong explained, "Since there were many occurrences in neighboring countries last year, we secured vaccines for 540,000 heads at the end of last year, and after the outbreak, we quickly imported additional vaccines and completed vaccinations on the 10th," adding, "We will thoroughly block inflow and enforce quarantine, but since we cannot be certain that it will not occur next year, vaccinations will be conducted again next year."

He also stated plans to expand livestock quarantine officers. Minister Jeong said, "There are only about 1,000 veterinarians specializing in livestock, not pets, and many quarantine-related veterinarian positions are vacant," adding, "To improve treatment, we are reviewing raising allowances with the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and easing requirements for special external recruitment."

Regarding the issue of dog meat consumption, he said an announcement would be made soon. He stated, "A consultative body of seven vice ministers is operating under the chairmanship of the Chief of the Office for Government Policy Coordination, and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs is preparing specific plans," adding, "Once the plans are ready, they will be announced after consultations between the ruling party and the government."

Minister Jeong Hwang-geun of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs is answering reporters' questions at a press briefing held at the Government Sejong Complex on the 16th.

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