Seo Samseok Calls for Amendments to Farmland Act and Four Agricultural Livelihood Laws

Calls for Policy Improvements in National Assembly Report on Agriculture Ministry
Issues Raised Over "Labor Shortages and Rising Fertilizer Costs"

Seosam Seok, Member of the National Assembly.

Seo Samseok, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea (representing Yeongam, Muan, and Sinan in Jeollanam-do), announced on the 19th that he called for improvements to the government's food security policies and the realities facing rural areas during the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs' work report held on the 18th.

During the report, Seo stated, "Farmers need to prepare for the upcoming farming season in spring, but chronic issues such as labor shortages due to aging populations and rising prices of inorganic fertilizers persist." He added, "Problems caused by climate crisis, such as droughts, heavy rains, and cold damage, as well as the reduction of rice cultivation areas, remain unresolved."

He continued, "In the past, I requested improvements for 96,000 hectares of farmland at risk of flooding through the National Assembly audit, but the basic survey area required for this year's project is only 5,740 hectares. At this rate, completion is not expected for another 20 years." He emphasized, "The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs should expand the budget for waterway maintenance to respond to the climate crisis and revise disaster insurance to reflect the characteristics of different crops and disasters."

Seo also criticized the plan to reduce rice cultivation areas, which contradicts the opinions from the field. He said, "Forty-three provincial council members from Jeonnam, a major agricultural region, are demanding the withdrawal of the ministry's plan to reduce rice cultivation areas." He added, "As of the 17th, the price of a sack of rice is 188,704 won, which falls short of the original target price of 200,000 won. To minimize damage to farmers, we must carefully consider introducing the 'Four Agricultural Livelihood Laws,' including an amendment to the Farmland Act."

Seo also raised concerns about the infringement on the autonomy of the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation (Nonghyup). He stated, "The state is constitutionally required to foster farmers and fishermen and guarantee their autonomous activities, but the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs supervises Nonghyup based on the Agricultural Cooperatives Act, which creates a conflict between the constitution and the law." He expressed the need to revise the Agricultural Cooperatives Act, saying, "The government should seek ways to support agriculture, rural communities, and farmers."

In response, Minister Song Miryeong said, "We will review the intent."

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