Song Miryung: "Farmland Investigation Is Not About Taking Farmers' Land... Minor Violations Will Not Be Punished"

At the Press Conference on the 10th

"CPTPP Also Offers Opportunities"

"New Site for Gwacheon Racecourse to Be Selected First"

Song Miryung, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, emphasized on the 10th, "There is some maliciously distorted information suggesting that 'the government is taking farmland from farmers' regarding the farmland investigation, but this is completely untrue."

At a press conference held at the Government Complex Sejong on the same day, Minister Song stated, "Discrepancies between the law and reality, such as customary actions like oral lease contracts and minor legal violations, are not subject to punishment." She made this clarification during the meeting.

Song Miryung, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, is answering reporters' questions at the Government Complex Sejong on the 10th. Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

Earlier in July of this year, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced the results of the first phase of the farmland investigation. Out of a total of 1.36 million hectares, farmland suspected of violating ownership restrictions, illegal leases, illegal use conversions, and unauthorized fallowing accounted for 27.0% (2.84 million parcels). Based on these results, the ministry plans to conduct in-depth on-site investigations by the end of this year. Minister Song explained, "The purpose of this farmland investigation is to build a database for identifying the actual conditions of farmland ownership and use, as we have not been able to develop detailed data on farmland until now." She added, "In order to dispel misunderstandings that the government is seizing all farmland, we plan to soon present and explain the matters in an easily understandable way, organized by issue."

Regarding the possible pursuit of membership in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), Minister Song expressed a cautious stance. She reiterated, "The government's position on the CPTPP has consistently been that 'if it goes against the national interest or the will of the people, we are not committed to joining unconditionally and are open to extensive discussions'." However, she noted, "When the Korea-Chile Free Trade Agreement was signed, there were concerns that the grape industry would suffer greatly, but now grapes are the number one fresh agricultural export product among global K-food exports." She added, "I believe there are also opportunities to be found."

Regarding the relocation of the Seoul Racecourse Park (Gwacheon Racecourse) operated by the Korea Racing Authority, a state-led plan, Minister Song said that a call for applications for a new site would be launched first. She explained, "Within this month, the Korea Racing Authority will hold a board meeting to determine the selection criteria for the new site and when to call for applications," and "A decision on the relocation site is necessary to determine the associated relocation costs."

Song Miryung, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, is answering reporters' questions at the Government Complex Sejong on the 10th. Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

On the labor union's demand that both the headquarters and the Gwacheon Racecourse be relocated together, Minister Song clarified, "The relocation of public institutions falls under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport." However, she noted, "The relocation of the racecourse and the relocation of the headquarters are separate matters," but also commented, "From the agricultural sector's perspective, it would be reasonable for the headquarters to move together with the racecourse." Regarding the relocation of the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation (NongHyup), she added, "The public institution relocation to provincial areas is expected to be announced by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport in the fourth quarter, but the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs is not privy to the information being discussed." She also emphasized, "In fact, I have not even confirmed whether NongHyup is included."

Regarding the amendment to the Agricultural Cooperatives Act, which covers the direct election of the NongHyup president by cooperative members, the establishment of an external audit committee, and other elements of the first phase of reforms for NongHyup, Minister Song stated that discussions in the National Assembly are in their final stages. She said, "The Agricultural Cooperatives Act is currently being discussed in the National Assembly's Agriculture, Food, Rural Affairs, Oceans, and Fisheries Committee subcommittee, and I believe a conclusion could be reached soon." Regarding the independence of the audit body, she added, "Although there are several differing opinions, there is a certain degree of agreement on 'functionally separating' the audit body, so I think this will be finalized by the standing committee within September."

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