Legislation Proposed to Allow Forestry Workers to Choose the More Favorable Direct Payment System Between Agriculture and Forestry

Park Soo-hyun Proposes Amendment
Duplicate Payment Criteria to Be Based on "Current Year"

Democratic Party member Suhyun Park

Park Soo-hyun, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea (representing Gongju, Buyeo, and Cheongyang in South Chungcheong Province), announced on the 11th that he has proposed a revision to the "Act on the Operation of Direct Payment System for the Promotion of Public Functions of Forestry and Forests." The amendment would allow forestry workers to choose and receive either agricultural direct payments or forestry direct payments, whichever is more advantageous.

Under the current law, if a person received the small-scale farmer direct payment (1.3 million won per year) in the previous year, they are restricted from receiving the larger forestry direct payment in the current year, raising concerns about fairness.

According to Park, in Buyeo, South Chungcheong Province, in 2024, a total of 52 million won in forestry direct payments for 32 cases was denied due to recipients having received the small-scale farmer direct payment in the previous year.

The proposed amendment changes the criteria for determining duplicate payments from the "previous year" to the "current year," thereby ensuring rational choice for forestry workers.

Park stated, "Due to shortcomings in the system, well-intentioned individuals are being unfairly affected," and added, "I will work to ensure the passage of the amendment to protect the rights and interests of forestry workers."

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