Song Miryeong, Nominee for Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, "I Can Completely Transform Our Agriculture and Rural Areas"

Opening Remarks at the Confirmation Hearing

Song Miryeong, the nominee for Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, stated on the 18th, "If we shift from defensive and passive policies to offensive and proactive policies based on the values and assets of agriculture and rural areas, we can completely transform our undervalued agriculture and rural communities."

During her opening remarks at the confirmation hearing that day, Song said, "Our agriculture and rural areas have made significant quantitative and qualitative progress, but they have not kept pace with the demands and speed of change of the times."

Song proposed measures to complement and develop agricultural policies to resolve current issues and achieve a great leap forward in Korean agriculture. First, she emphasized, "I will ease the concerns of farmers caused by rising operating costs, which is an urgent issue," and added, "I will strive to ensure the public can feel secure through stabilizing the supply and demand of agricultural products."

In response to rising operating costs due to raw material supply chain instability, high interest rates, and high oil prices, she said she would closely communicate with financial authorities and related industries to prepare burden relief measures for farmers. Additionally, through scientific livestock quarantine in cooperation with the private sector, she aims to minimize the negative impact of livestock diseases on farms and consumers. She also promised to significantly expand direct payment systems to prevent farmers from feeling anxious during sharp drops in agricultural product prices, introduce import insurance, and complete a robust Korean-style income safety net. Furthermore, she pledged to ensure the establishment of a genuine public interest-type direct payment system through diversification of optional direct payments.

She also stated her intention to innovate the agricultural system so that Korean agriculture can become an industry that generates high income and provides good jobs for young people and the public. She explained, "Beyond smart farms focused on facility horticulture, we will comprehensively review and supplement the on-site utilization levels of big data, ICT, and artificial intelligence to accelerate the digital transformation of the entire agri-food chain, including agricultural production, livestock, distribution, and processing." She added, "We will actively foster new industries such as rural convergence industries, food tech, and green bio, as well as upstream and downstream industries like seeds and agricultural machinery, to drive mutual development. We will also establish cooperative systems with research institutes and universities to restore an innovative ecosystem in the agri-food industry."

Song said, "The preparation process for this confirmation hearing was not only a good opportunity to reflect on my past life but also a valuable chance to recognize my shortcomings and renew my determination." She concluded, "If I am entrusted with the important role of Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, I will listen carefully to voices from the field and sensitively consider the hearts of farmers, dedicating myself fully so that the Ministry can become a trustworthy and warm institution providing the best policies and administrative services to the public."

Song Miryeong, nominee for Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, is answering questions from the press as she arrives at the hearing preparation office set up at aT Center in Seocho-gu, Seoul on the 7th. Photo by Kang Jinhyung aymsdream@

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