Government to Gather Feedback on 'NongHyup Reform Measures'... Nationwide Regional Briefings to Be Held

The government is seeking public feedback on a set of reform measures focused on strengthening internal controls and operational transparency at NongHyup, as well as introducing direct elections by cooperative members for the president of the central association. These reforms target farmers, cooperative members, cooperative presidents, and agricultural organizations.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced on April 20 that it will hold explanatory sessions by region, dividing the country into Gyeongsang Region, Chungcheong/Jeolla Region, and Gyeonggi/Gangwon Region.

Exterior view of the Nonghyup Central Association building.

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Previously, the government and ruling party on March 11 and April 1 had announced a NongHyup reform plan that included the establishment of the NongHyup Audit Committee, an integrated audit body for the entire NongHyup organization, and the introduction of direct elections for the president of the central association by cooperative members. In response, the Emergency Committee for the Amendment of the NongHyup Act, comprised of cooperative presidents from agricultural and livestock cooperatives nationwide, expressed opposition to what they described as a unilateral approach that excludes the opinions of the field. They are demanding the promotion of substantial reforms centered on farmers and a reconsideration of the changes to the method of electing the president of the central association.

The first explanatory session will be held on April 22 at the NongHyup Daegu Regional Headquarters (Daegu), targeting Daegu, Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongsang regions. On April 24, simultaneous sessions will be held at the NongHyup Chungbuk Regional Headquarters (Cheongju) for Chungbuk, Chungnam, Sejong, Jeolla, Daejeon, Gwangju, and Jeju regions, and at the NongHyup Gyeonggi Regional Headquarters (Suwon) for Gyeonggi, Seoul, Incheon, and Gangwon regions.

Through these sessions, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs plans to thoroughly explain the background and key contents of the NongHyup reform measures, while also collecting a wide range of on-site opinions through comprehensive discussions with participants. Furthermore, the ministry intends to carefully review the various opinions raised during these regional sessions, and use them to supplement the NongHyup reform legislative proposal during deliberations in the National Assembly and other legislative processes.

Yoon Wonsup, Director General for Agricultural Policy at the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, stated, "These NongHyup reform measures are intended to help NongHyup restore its identity as a producer cooperative and become an organization that fully serves its members and farmers. We will ensure that field opinions are faithfully reflected to develop effective reform measures, and we will work closely with the National Assembly throughout this process."

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