[2026 Parliamentary Audit] Song Miryeong Rebuts Criticism of 'Rushed Farmland Survey': "I Never Called Farmers Speculators"

At the National Assembly Agriculture, Food, Rural Affairs, Oceans and Fisheries Committee's comprehensive audit on Oct. 22
Opposition lawmakers strongly criticized the lack of preparation in carrying out the comprehensive farmland survey
Song: "We must not distort the original purpose of the farmland survey."

Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Song Miryeong rebutted opposition criticism that the comprehensive farmland survey had been rushed and caused confusion in rural communities, saying, "I have never once called farmers in the field speculators."

Speaking on Oct. 22 at a comprehensive parliamentary audit of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and its affiliated public institutions by the National Assembly's Agriculture, Food, Rural Affairs, Oceans and Fisheries Committee, Song said, "We will identify and correct ordinary, customary violations of the Farmland Act in the field rather than treat them as speculation," adding, "We will close the gap between current realities and the system."

Song Miryeong, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. Yonhap News

Opposition lawmakers focused their criticism on the lack of preparation for the comprehensive farmland survey. Rep. Lee Seong-gwon of the People Power Party said, "The president's flawed understanding of rural realities, combined with the ministry's rushed implementation, harmed farmers." Rep. Lee Yang-su, also of the People Power Party, pointed to Song's response at the audit on Oct. 7, when she said the lack of preparation was "my fault," and remarked, "Judging by your manner of answering, it seems you don't think it was your fault at all." Song replied, "That is not what I meant," adding, "We must not distort the original purpose of the farmland survey."

Song reiterated the government's position that it would not impose penalties for correctable violations that were not clearly motivated by speculation. When Rep. Lee Jae-gwan of the Democratic Party of Korea asked, "Is it correct that no penalties will be imposed for correctable violations that were not clearly motivated by speculation?" Song answered, "Yes."

On the government's use of aerial unmanned vehicles (drones) in the agriculture and forestry sectors, Song said, "We will work to expand the use of domestically made products." She said, "Our survey found that more than 500 drones are in use in the agriculture and forestry sectors," adding, "Starting this year, we will also launch research and development (R&D) to promote domestic production."

At the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs' previous parliamentary audit, Rep. Kim Yong-tae of the People Power Party raised security concerns about Chinese-made drones and Russian software used in the comprehensive farmland survey. Song said there were no problems with how they were being used, but ordered a temporary halt to filming with Chinese-made drones as a precaution against potential risks.

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