Choi Byeong-geun, Gyeongbuk Provincial Assembly Member, Criticizes "Agricultural Great Transition Policy Benefits Only Large Farms" in Standing Committee

Excessive Event Costs for the Dokdo Peace Award
Damage from Japanese Red Snow Crab Imports Spreads

The Agriculture, Fisheries and Livestock Committee of the Gyeongbuk Provincial Council (Chairman Shin Hyogwang) recently held a standing committee meeting to hear the 2025 major business reports from the Agriculture and Livestock Distribution Bureau, the Marine and Fisheries Bureau, the Agricultural Technology Center, the Dokdo Foundation, the Agricultural Food Distribution Education Promotion Institute, and Gyeongbuk Trade, and reviewed and resolved ordinances and proposals, the council announced on the 30th.

As the first agenda item of the new year, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Livestock Committee of the Gyeongbuk Provincial Council unanimously approved the “Proposal Urging Measures to Address the Shortage of Successor Agricultural Management Fund.” Recently, the government changed the funding support method from application to selection due to the shortage of successor agricultural management funds, which has caused great confusion in rural areas. The passed proposal points out this issue and urges the government to come up with fundamental solutions and countermeasures.

Gyeongbuk Provincial Council Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Committee

In addition, in accordance with the enforcement of the Act on Revitalization of Economic and Social Services Based on Rural Community, the committee reviewed and approved the original draft of the partial amendment ordinance of the Gyeongsangbuk-do Social Agriculture Promotion and Support Ordinance to ensure consistency with social agriculture-related regulations.

During the first day’s report from invested and contributed institutions, the council members pointed out the major vacancies in key executives and urged that future recruitment of executives and staff should hire people with profound knowledge of the relevant work rather than just filling positions, so that the institutions can achieve better results in the new year.

Assemblyman Noh Seonghwan (Goryeong) called for strategic fostering of halal-certified companies, and Assemblyman Seo Seokyoung (Pohang) criticized the excessive event operation costs of the Dokdo Peace Award and the practice of sharing the award among multiple recipients. Assemblyman Choi Byeonggeun (Gimcheon) requested expansion of support for sales of Oiso rural experience lodging, followed by Assemblyman Kim Jaejun (Uljin) emphasizing the need to open the Baro Market before the Lunar New Year and urging strategic operation of the antenna shop.

On the second day’s report from the relevant departments, they ordered active administrative measures for farmers and fishermen who are struggling due to the economic downturn.

Assemblyman Park Changwook (Bonghwa) pointed out that the agricultural transformation is focused only on cooperative farming types and insisted that small-scale county units should reset their direction to specialized item types. Assemblyman Noh Seonghwan (Goryeong) requested recognition of green manure crops as strategic crops and urged provincial-level measures for the aging of the Goryeong livestock products auction market.

Assemblyman Seo Seokyoung (Pohang) recognized the difficulties faced by snow crab fishermen who are in great crisis due to the Great Whale Project and urged provincial-level measures to facilitate smooth negotiations with the Korea National Oil Corporation. He also requested the province to actively promote tourism industry development related to the opening of the Donghae Jungbu Line.

Assemblyman Choi Byeonggeun (Gimcheon) pointed out that benefits related to the agricultural transformation are concentrated only on large-scale farmers and requested enhanced promotion for small-scale farmers as well. He also urged to do their best to complete the Gimcheon fruit base APC project within the project period.

Choi Byung-geun, Gyeongbuk Provincial Assembly Member

Assemblyman Kim Jaejun (Uljin) stated that the import of Japanese bread crabs has caused great damage to snow crab fishermen and urged the province to take countermeasures. He also requested the prompt progress of the Uljin Marine Healing Center project and the quick opening of Hupo Marina Port. Assemblyman Lee Chungwon (Uiseong) urged to boldly abandon projects that have no possibility of expansion such as no-till direct seeding and to promote projects suitable for rural realities.

Chairman Shin Hyogwang of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Livestock Committee (Cheongsong) said, “As the difficulties of farmers and fishermen are expected to increase due to decreased production and increased costs this year, I ask the province to empathize with the difficulties of farmers and fishermen and to deeply consider the challenges faced by agricultural and fishery workers so that they can be reflected in policies.” He added, “We will closely cooperate with related departments to ensure that systematic policies for the development of Gyeongbuk’s agricultural administration and the welfare of residents can be implemented, and do our best to actively reflect the voices of residents in policies.”

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