Song Miryung: "Overwhelming Support from Members and Public for Agricultural Cooperative Reform... Additional Reform Plan to Be Prepared in June" (Comprehensive)

Song Miryung, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, made it clear on the 27th that she would proceed as planned with the Korea Agricultural Cooperative Federation reform bill, which has been facing opposition mainly from cooperative presidents. She stated, "Both cooperative members and the general public support the reform." Furthermore, she announced that a second phase of reforms aimed at revitalizing economic activities and scaling up cooperatives to restore the essential functions of the Korea Agricultural Cooperative Federation would be prepared in June. Minister Song also said that a comprehensive survey of farmland to eradicate speculative land purchases would begin next month, and that amendments to the Farmland Act would be pursued as well.

At a regular meeting held at the Government Complex in Sejong that day, Minister Song presented survey results on the reform of the Korea Agricultural Cooperative Federation, stating, "The establishment of the Cooperative Audit Committee and the expansion of government oversight are not about undermining the autonomy of the federation, but rather about restoring its checks and balances."

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

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◆ 96.4% of Members Support Establishing the Korea Agricultural Cooperative Federation Audit Committee = According to a survey conducted by the Korea Rural Economic Institute from April 21 to 24 on 1,079 cooperative members and 1,000 members of the general public, 85.8% of cooperative members and 93.3% of the general public supported the establishment of the Audit Committee. This contrasts with a survey by the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation, in which 96.4% of 1,108 cooperative presidents opposed the creation of an external, independent audit body. In summary, cooperative presidents are against the reform bill, while cooperative members and the general public are in favor.

Minister Song emphasized, "The majority of cooperative members and the public agree with the government's direction for reform and expect it to be implemented without delay," adding, "We will continue to build consensus on the reform through ongoing communication."

Although the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs has been holding explanatory sessions on the reform of the Korea Agricultural Cooperative Federation, starting in Daegu on the 22nd, opposition continues, led by an emergency committee composed of cooperative presidents from agricultural and livestock cooperatives. The opposing side argues that the reform bill leaves out essential issues that farmers feel directly, such as stabilizing agricultural product prices, increasing farm income, and improving distribution structures, and instead focuses on restructuring governance and control mechanisms. They also claim that establishing an audit committee would strengthen government control and infringe on the autonomy of the cooperative.

Regarding criticism of insufficient feedback collection, Minister Song explained, "We are continuing to collect on-site feedback through regional and group briefings," and added, "Through further discussions of the Cooperative Reform Task Force, we will draw up a second phase reform bill in June to revitalize economic activities and scale up cooperatives, restoring the core functions of the Korea Agricultural Cooperative Federation."

Minister Song intends to move quickly with the first phase of reforms. She said, "Prolonged debate and delays on the reform of the Korea Agricultural Cooperative Federation only harm farmers and the public, so I believe it's better to bring it to a swift conclusion," adding, "If the reform drags on until the June 3 local elections, it may become a political issue, so I am thinking it's best to speed it up."

◆ Farmland Survey and Basic Income Pilot Expansion in May = The ministry plans to launch a comprehensive survey of farmland starting May 18. To this end, they are working on hiring inspectors, establishing a cooperation framework and system between the central and local governments, training officials, and amending relevant laws. Minister Song explained, "We are preparing a legal basis for inspectors to access land, and in the case of land transaction permit zones, we are also pursuing amendments to the Farmland Act so that land can be ordered to be disposed of immediately if agricultural management is not conducted without a valid reason." She added, "We will use this opportunity to eradicate farmland speculation, build a comprehensive farmland database, and ensure that farmland is properly utilized for young and returning farmers."

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By mid-May, the ministry plans to complete the selection of additional regions for the pilot project. Of the 69 counties experiencing population decline, 59 counties-excluding the 10 currently participating in the pilot-will be eligible.

Regarding the basic income pilot project already underway in rural and fishing areas, Minister Song said that there are signs of regional revitalization, such as economic activation driven by resident participation. She stated, "After the first payment on February 26, over two months, the population increased by 4.6%, and the number of new stores rose by 12.4%. Among new residents in the 10 pilot counties, 26% moved in from the Seoul metropolitan area, confirming the project's positive impact on balanced national development." She added, "We will strengthen support for resident-led economic activities (such as mobile markets) in these areas and continue to monitor on-site inconveniences to promptly address them."

◆ Securing Fertilizer and Agricultural Film Supplies Needed for Spring Farming Season = Since the outbreak of the Middle East war at the end of February, the ministry has been monitoring and responding daily to the impact on domestic agriculture, including the supply of fertilizer and agricultural film. Minister Song explained, "According to recent on-site inspections, the necessary supplies for the spring farming season, such as fertilizer and agricultural film, have fortunately been secured." She continued, "Thanks to fertilizer companies' efforts to diversify import sources, additional urea has been procured, making it possible to ensure stable fertilizer supply until the end of August, rather than only through July as initially expected."

However, Minister Song pointed out that concerns about supply instability due to the Middle East war are causing excessive demand at the farm level, and the ministry will manage this strictly. She said, "We are thoroughly managing sales volumes to prevent excessive demand and hoarding in the agricultural sector," adding, "This is also an opportunity to reduce the overuse of fertilizer, expand the use of livestock manure, and improve excessive fertilization practices."

On this day, Minister Song also highlighted the need for a major energy transition in agriculture and rural areas. She stated, "We plan to lead the energy transition in a way that enhances the unique functions and values of agriculture and rural areas, such as food security and rural income." She added, "To this end, a dedicated task force for the 'Major Energy Transition in Agriculture and Rural Areas' will be formed and operated within this week. In addition, the '2035 Agriculture and Rural Energy Transition Roadmap,' which contains strategies for energy transition in agriculture and rural areas in line with national renewable energy policies, will be developed."

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