Lee: "Farmland Investigation Is Not About Forcing Unable Farmers to Sell...Aims to Identify Speculative Ownership"

Elderly or Ill Farmers Are "Those We Aim to Help by Purchasing Farmland"

"Investigation Targets Farmland Bought With the Stated Intent to Farm but Used for Other Purposes"

Checking Idle Land and Tenant Farmer Practices..."Opposition Forces D

On September 18, President Lee Jae-myung addressed opposition surrounding the government's nationwide farmland survey, stating, "This is not about forcing people to sell because they cannot farm. If anything, we will purchase the land to help, but these people are not subject to sanctions." He also clarified that the purpose of the farmland survey is to determine whether the land is actually being cultivated, whether it is left fallow or leased out, and to identify cases where farmland was acquired for speculative purposes.

President Lee Jae-myung is answering reporters' questions at a press conference held at the Blue House State Guest House on the 18th. 2026.9.18 Yonhap News Agency.

At the press conference for the public held at the Blue House State Guest House on the same day, President Lee cited the farmland survey as an example while explaining the reality of growing backlash from stakeholders who face disadvantages as reform measures are implemented.

President Lee said, "I am well aware of the strong criticism I received after conducting a real estate survey," and added, "'Why are you suddenly doing this when you never did before?' and 'It has been fine for decades, so why now?' are frequent questions raised."

He also dismissed concerns that elderly people or those with health problems who own farmland but are unable to farm themselves would be forced to sell, stating that such claims are not true. President Lee emphasized, "Some complain, 'My father farmed, but now he cannot due to difficulties. Are you telling us to sell the land by force?' That is not true."

He further explained, "In such cases, if anything, we will purchase the land to offer assistance, not impose penalties. What we are targeting is when someone gets approval to purchase farmland expressing their intent to farm, but then does not actually farm and instead uses the land for other purposes." The intent of the investigation, he clarified, is to identify speculative holdings where individuals claimed they would farm at the time of acquisition but do not actually engage in farming.

He also stated that the aim of this investigation goes beyond merely uncovering speculation. President Lee said, "This is a basic survey to examine every aspect of farmland that has been left unchecked for decades—to find out why some lands are fallow, why others are leased to tenant farmers, and how we can provide support."

He further signaled his awareness that groups opposing the policy are distorting the intent of the investigation to amplify backlash. President Lee said, “Those engaged in real estate speculation try to rally others to their side by saying, ‘You don’t farm, do you? You’ll be forced to sell too,’ and promoting this notion. It is difficult for us to go around personally explaining to each person, ‘That is not true.’”

President Lee also highlighted that, as reform policies such as the farmland survey are pushed ahead, it is inevitable that stakeholder opposition will become more organized. He said, “People who support these measures remain silent, considering them good deeds, but those who stand to lose form a consolidated front, making the opposition appear stronger.”

President Lee Jae-myung is answering reporters' questions at a press conference held at the Blue House Guesthouse on the 18th. 2026.9.18 Yonhap News Agency

However, he made it clear that he does not intend to withdraw the policy because of opposition. President Lee said, "The reason I was given this authority was to ensure these policies are carried out, so I have no choice but to fulfill the promises made to the people. In the end, if many things change and people genuinely feel their lives have improved, I expect public evaluations will also change."

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