Office of the President: “Farmland Survey as Communism? Nonsense… Claims of Low-Price Sales Are Excessive Incitement”

Youngsu Lee Appears on Presidential YouTube Channel ‘Fact Mill’

Addresses Concerns Over Farmland Disposal Orders and Compulsory Fines

“Apologies for Causing Anxiety Among Farmers, but Most Have Nothing to Worry About”

Also Refutes Cla

The Blue House on September 22 firmly rejected accusations regarding the nationwide farmland survey, stating, "Some have even called it communism, but that is utterly nonsensical." The Blue House also dismissed suspicions about the alleged undervalued sales of farmland, calling them "stories that are verging on excessive agitation."

On September 22, Lee Youngsoo, Senior Secretary to the President for Agriculture, Livestock and Rural Affairs, appeared on the Blue House's official YouTube channel, "Fact Mill," responding to a question about claims that "the government is forcibly making people sell their farmland so that the state can purchase it cheaply." Lee gave the above response.

Secretary Lee explained, "Isn't it true that elderly farmers or those who have inherited farmland are having a tough time managing their land?" He continued, "If such individuals want to sell their farmland, of course the government should purchase it—that is a reasonable measure." He added, "At the same time, from a food security perspective, the government also needs to stockpile farmland."

Since May of this year, the Blue House has been reviewing the actual ownership and use of all farmland nationwide. However, there have been concerns in rural areas that people might receive disposition orders or enforcement fines. In response, Jang Donghyeok, leader of the People Power Party, criticized, "Is the government trying to steer the country toward communism?"

Secretary Lee stated, "I apologize for causing anxiety among hardworking farmers in the field," but also assured the public, "There is no need to worry."

He noted that the recent decline in farmland prices is not due to the current farmland investigation. Secretary Lee explained that the downward trend in farmland prices actually began when the Farmland Act was tightened following the 2021 farmland speculation scandal involving Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH).

When asked whether one must sell their farmland if they can no longer farm due to old age or health reasons, he responded, "That is not true." He clarified, "Those who actually farmed the land must delegate it to the Farmland Bank, but if you are over 60 years old and have farmed the land yourself for over five years, private sales or leases are also allowed."

In addition, he explained that "if you inherited farmland from your parents, you can retain ownership even if you do not personally farm the land." Secretary Lee stated, "Delegating the land to the Farmland Bank is possible, but for areas less than 1 hectare or 3,000 pyeong, private delegation is also permitted," adding, "You really have nothing to worry about."

He also noted that when leasing out farmland, "if you notify the Farmland Bank that you would like to delegate the lease, they will handle it accordingly."

Secretary Lee explained the government's stance on structures built on farmland, such as restrooms and work sheds. "With this opportunity, we are planning to legalize such facilities," he said. "Most facilities for agricultural use, such as toilets or parking lots, will be legalized."

Furthermore, even if a facility was used illegally, he stated, "A voluntary correction period will be provided to bring them into compliance with their proper use."

Additionally, Secretary Lee clarified which cases would actually be subject to a disposition order. Dispositions will be issued in the following cases: "leaving farmland in a permitted land-use area (Toheoguyeok) fallow without authorization or illegally leasing it"; "obtaining a shared interest in farmland via auction and then neglecting or illegally leasing it"; and "forming a fake agricultural corporation to acquire farmland and then engaging in real estate business on it."

Secretary Lee emphasized, "Most people will not be subject to these actions, so there is no need to worry," and added, "Only speculative farmlands will be subject to enforcement fines."

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