Driving a Rice Transplanter and Experiencing Rice Planting... President Lee Says, "I'm Better at This Than You Might Think"

Rice Planting Experience at Umusil Village in Gunwi, Daegu

Casual Snack Meeting with Young Farmers

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President Lee Jae-myung visited a rural village in Gunwi-gun, North Gyeongsang Province on May 15, where he personally operated a rice transplanter to experience rice planting. Following his emphasis on a “major transformation of rural areas and agriculture” during the senior aides’ meeting the previous day, he visited the agricultural site to listen to the voices of young farmers and local residents.

President Lee Jae-myung is making a toast with residents while having a snack at a rice planting site in Sobo-myeon, Gunwi-gun, Daegu on the 15th. 2026.5.15 Photo by Yonhap News

According to a written briefing by An Gwi-ryeong, Deputy Spokesperson of the Office of the President, President Lee visited Umusil Village in Dosan 1-ri, Sobo-myeon, Gunwi-gun, North Gyeongsang Province that afternoon, where he participated in rice planting and held a snack meeting with farmers on site.

Umusil Village means “a village without worries,” and residents there cultivate rice, garlic, onions, and more. Over 30 residents sat on simple chairs in front of the village center waiting for the president’s arrival, while in the paddy field ready for planting, a red autonomous rice transplanter and a large agricultural drone for spraying demonstration were standing by.

President Lee arrived in the village wearing a blue checkered short-sleeve shirt, beige cotton pants, and sneakers. After exiting his vehicle, he shook hands with Minister Song Mi-ryeong of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Village Chief Kim Gyo-muk of Dosan 1-ri, and Lee Jae-seong, Acting Mayor of Gunwi-gun, before immediately approaching and greeting the residents.

The residents welcomed President Lee by saying, “Thank you for coming all this way,” “It’s an honor for our neighborhood,” and “You look much better in person than in photos.” When President Lee asked the elders sitting nearby, “Why are you sitting here?” one replied, “I’ve been sitting and waiting because I wanted to see you, Mr. President,” which elicited laughter. President Lee also shook hands with a village elder over 97 years old, wishing them good health.

President Lee put on a straw hat and boots at the pavilion next to the village center before heading to the rice field. Before putting on his boots, Minister Song reported on the current state of rice planting nationwide, explaining that only about 6% of the total planting had been completed as of now, indicating that the season was still in its early stages. Under the guidance of a young farmer, President Lee personally loaded seedling trays onto the rice transplanter. He demonstrated how to place the trays on the loading rack at the rear of the machine, then proceeded to move the remaining trays in order. When the residents cheered, “You’re doing great,” President Lee responded, “I’m doing better than you might think, aren’t I?”

President Lee Jae-myung is planting rice using a rice transplanter in Sobo-myeon, Gunwi County, Daegu on May 15, 2026. Photo by Yonhap News.

He also checked on the state of technological advancement in the agricultural field. In front of President Lee, a young farmer demonstrated the use of an agricultural drone for crop spraying. As of 2024, the domestic drone market, including both manufacturing and application, has grown to about 1.1 trillion won, with agricultural drones accounting for around 24% of this market. Agricultural drones are used for pesticide spraying and fertilizer distribution, and have established themselves as essential equipment for improving efficiency in rural areas.

Snack Meeting with Young Farmers and Village Elders

After experiencing rice planting, President Lee held a snack meeting with local residents. Sitting cross-legged without shoes on a large platform set under the shade of a tree at the “Umusil Rest Area,” he conversed freely with young farmers and village elders. Traditional silver trays were set in front of the attendees, with dishes such as tofu with kimchi, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, ssamjang, and banquet noodles served.

The snacks included banquet noodles made from domestic wheat, tofu with kimchi made from local soybeans, cucumbers and cherry tomatoes produced in Gunwi-gun, and “Ddungttanji Makgeolli” made from Gunwi’s purple Jerusalem artichoke. A local brand’s “Gunwi Plum Bread” was also served.

President Lee also showed interest in the current status of returning to farming and rural migration. He asked, “I’ve heard that newcomers to farming are sometimes pressured to contribute to village funds. Is that not the case here?” Village Chief Kim Gyo-muk replied, “That’s not true here. Through the ‘One Company, One Village’ initiative and various farming experience programs, we have attracted 47 people to return or move to the village.” Kim explained that there are currently about 97 households and approximately 200 residents in the village.

The conversation also touched on basic income for rural areas and solar income villages. When President Lee inquired about the current status of rural basic income competitions, Minister Song responded that additional rounds were underway, stating, “Forty-four counties have applied, and competition is even higher this time.” It was mentioned that Yeongyang-gun had been selected from North Gyeongsang Province. Village Chief Kim requested support for the solar income village project, saying, “We are preparing for it with determination.”

To this, President Lee replied, “As long as the requirements are met, I’ll make sure as many as possible are approved.” When Village Chief Kim said, “Please speed up the airport project as well,” President Lee responded, “That’s not something the government typically handles, but let’s see how it goes.” Restrictions on property rights and water supply issues near the planned Daegu-Gyeongbuk Integrated Airport site were also mentioned, to which President Lee replied that he had observed the relevant area on his way and would look into it further.

President Lee Jae-myung is greeting residents ahead of rice planting on the 15th in Dosan 1-ri village, Sobo-myeon, Gunwi-gun, Daegu. Photo by Yonhap News

Young farmers voiced concerns about crop diversification and sales channels. Lee Chan-ho, a young farmer who has been growing herbs nearby for six years, explained, “Because herbs aren’t commonly grown in this area, it’s not easy to learn cultivation techniques,” and requested increased support. When President Lee asked about distribution channels, Mr. Lee replied, “They aren’t crops typically sold at wholesale markets. I supply them directly to cafes, bakeries, and restaurant owners.”

A case of a local agricultural startup was also introduced. Kang Ji-yeon, who developed Gunwi Plum Bread, said, “I started my business using substandard plums grown by my grandmother, which couldn’t be sold as fresh produce. I wanted to create bread and desserts so that plums—available only one season a year—could be enjoyed year-round.” Ms. Kang runs a one-person business in its sixth year; she produces plum powder in collaboration with a technology center, while the bread and confectioneries are made through original equipment manufacturing (OEM). After tasting the Gunwi Plum Bread, President Lee said, “It’s delicious and beautiful. Today’s opportunity could help it go global.”

The meeting also covered the village’s agricultural cultural experience programs and changes following Gunwi’s incorporation into Daegu. Residents commented that after being incorporated into Daegu, the rural policy infrastructure was relatively lacking. Village Chief Kim requested a rural experience and recreation village project, to which Minister Song replied that amendments to the law now allow such villages to be designated up to 6,000 pyeong. President Lee lightened the mood by saying, “So that’s resolved, right?”

President Lee Jae-myung is having a snack meeting with residents at the rice planting site in Sobo-myeon, Gunwi-gun, Daegu on the 15th. Photo by Yonhap News

President Lee then proposed a toast, saying, “Umusil means a village without worries, and I hope the entire world can become a worry-free country. I hope Umusil can set the first example. To the prosperity of Umusil!”

After the meeting, President Lee moved to the front of the village center to take a commemorative group photo with residents. Shouting “Umusil, fighting!” together, they took photos, and before getting into his vehicle, President Lee personally took photos for residents who requested selfies. President Lee said, “Having experienced rice planting myself, I could feel just how much effort farmers put in on the field. I am deeply grateful to all the farmers who work hard and sweat on site.” He concluded by wishing for a bountiful harvest this year.

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