Song Miryung: "Audit Committee Aims to Restore Checks and Balances... Over 93% of the Public Support It" (Update)

Song Miryung, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, stated on April 27 that both cooperative members and the public support the proposed reform of the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation, despite opposition mainly from cooperative heads, and that the reform will proceed as planned. Minister Song also announced that a full-scale investigation into farmland speculation will begin next month, along with plans to push for an amendment to the Farmland Act.

During a regular meeting at the Government Sejong Complex on this day, Minister Song introduced the results of a survey on the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation Audit Committee and said, "The establishment of the Audit Committee and the expansion of the government's supervisory authority are not intended to undermine the autonomy of the federation, but rather to restore the system of checks and balances."

Song Miryung, Minister of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, is holding a meeting at the Government Sejong Complex on the 27th, explaining major issues including the reform of the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation. Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

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According to a survey conducted by the Korea Rural Economic Institute from April 21 to 24, 85.8% of 1,079 cooperative members and 93.3% of 1,000 members of the general public supported the establishment of the Audit Committee. This contrasts with the results of a survey by the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation, in which 96.4% of the 1,108 cooperative heads opposed the establishment of an external, independent Audit Committee. Thus, while cooperative heads are opposed to the reform, cooperative members and the public are in favor.

Minister Song emphasized, "The majority of cooperative members and the public sympathize with the direction of the government's reform and want to see it implemented without delay. We will continue to build consensus on the reform plan through ongoing communication." Addressing criticism that there has been insufficient collection of opinions, she explained, "We are continuously gathering feedback on-site through regional and group briefings. In addition, through follow-up discussions of the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation Reform Task Force, we will prepare the second-stage reform plan in June to restore the core functions of the federation, including revitalizing economic activities and scaling up the size of cooperatives."

Although the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs began holding explanatory sessions on the reform starting in Daegu on April 22, opposition continues, led by the Emergency Committee to Protect the Autonomy of the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation. Critics argue that the reform plan focuses on governance and control mechanisms, while leaving out core issues that directly affect farmers-such as stabilizing agricultural product prices, increasing farm income, and improving distribution systems. They also claim that establishing an Audit Committee would strengthen government control and infringe upon the autonomy of the cooperative.

Minister Song announced plans to begin a full-scale farmland investigation starting from May 18. To this end, the ministry is working on hiring investigators, building a central-local cooperation framework and system, providing training for those in charge, and amending the law. Minister Song explained, "We are establishing legal grounds for investigators to access land, and for areas designated as land transaction permit zones, we are also pushing to amend the Farmland Act so that immediate disposition orders can be issued if agricultural management is not conducted without a valid reason. Through this opportunity, we aim to root out farmland speculation and build a comprehensive farmland database so that farmland can be properly utilized for young farmers and returning farmers."

Regarding the ongoing pilot project for basic income in rural and fishing communities, Minister Song evaluated that it is already showing signs of revitalizing local economies through resident participation. She stated, "In the two months since the first payment on February 26, the population has increased by 4.6% and the number of new shops has grown by 12.4%. Among new residents to the 10 target counties, 26% have come from the Seoul Capital Area, confirming the project's positive contribution to balanced national development. We will further support the activation of resident-participatory economies-such as mobile markets-in target regions, and will continue to monitor and promptly address any issues that arise on site."

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