Lee: "We Must Open the Way for Solar Power on Idle Farmland... Ensuring Livelihoods in Rural Areas Is Key"

Order for Income Models Using Fallow and Idle Farmland

"Do Not Leave to Individuals, Integrate Support for Permits and Financing"

"Livelihoods Must Be Possible Even After Returning to Rural Areas to Prevent Regional Extinction"

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President Lee Jae-myung on October 6 called for an expansion of solar power generation using fallow and idle farmland as a new source of income to prevent the disappearance of rural and fishing villages. Moving away from the current model where individual farmers are responsible for complex permits and project financing, he instructed the government to establish a system that integrates permits, financing, and project implementation support.

President Lee Jae-myung is speaking at the Cabinet meeting held at the Blue House on October 6, 2026. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

During the Cabinet meeting held at the Blue House on this day, as discussions were underway about the results of the basic income pilot project for rural areas and measures to revitalize the regional economy, President Lee addressed the issue of farmland solar power. He emphasized that the fundamental problem is securing livelihoods in these areas. President Lee stressed that simply providing basic income is not enough; to attract people to rural and fishing villages, the government must create a structure that enables stable and sustainable income.

President Lee particularly noted the considerable amount of farmland left unused for farming. He said, “There are many fallow farmlands,” pointing out the reality that it is difficult to earn sufficient income through agriculture alone. He then directed officials to explore the possibility of utilizing solar power generation as an additional source of income for farming households. President Lee also added that it is necessary to review the idea of consolidating “scattered small-scale and neglected farmlands” into a certain scale to facilitate business development.

The discussion progressed to developing a government-led business structure so that farmland owners do not have to bear all the financial and administrative burdens themselves. President Lee remarked on the current situation where “People have land but no funds. To engage in facility projects, you need your own money,” and he asked if a system could be devised to secure project financing through funds or financial channels, provided that a certain level of profit from electricity sales can be guaranteed.

He pointed out that simply leaving project implementation to farmers or landowners is insufficient if revitalizing rural communities is a core policy objective. President Lee instructed the relevant ministries to come up with detailed plans, insisting that the government should also consider approaches such as providing comprehensive permit assistance, offering full facility funding and managing the process, or proceeding with the project as long as landowners give their consent.

President Lee sees farmland solar power not just as an energy policy, but also as a strategy to counter regional depopulation. He stated, “The fundamental solution to preventing regional extinction is to ensure there is something for people to make a living with,” and “When people return to rural and fishing villages, there must be a way for them to sustain their livelihoods there. That is how local towns and even large regional cities can survive.”

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