Speaking at a regular briefing at the government complex in Sejong, Song said that if energy issues are neglected or addressed only through the existing fossil-fuel system while the Middle East conflict continues, South Korea’s food security would inevitably be put at risk.
Song said solid-fuel production and biogas conversion could help turn discarded materials in agriculture into energy and allow them to be used as meaningful fertilizer, making them an important resource. She also stressed that farmland could be a key asset because it can be used alongside solar power generation.
Song maintained that concerns about strengthening the authority of the chairman of the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation, known as NongHyup, are misplaced. She said she is aware of worries that direct elections by cooperative members could lead to greater power for the federation chairman and that expanded government oversight could infringe on autonomy. But she said that if members are given the power to choose and institutional safeguards such as oversight are put in place, NongHyup can secure democratic governance and operate well.
She also said the government will move faster on a second package of reforms for NongHyup. Song said officials have been continuously listening to views from the field in response to criticism that the reform process lacked sufficient input. She said the second reform plan, including key measures such as revitalizing economic businesses, is scheduled to be announced in June.
Song played down concerns about shortages of agricultural supplies due to the Middle East war. She said the government has secured raw materials for urea through the end of August to ensure there is no disruption to fertilizer supplies. She added that raw materials for agricultural plastic film have been secured through June and that supplies will be increased for some areas facing shortfalls.
On the government’s farmland survey, Song said the first goal is to eradicate speculation and the second is to build a farmland database to improve various systems in the future. On the rural basic income program, she said 72.7% of the funds that must be used within six months have been spent, contributing to local economic activity.
Regarding a South Korea-Vietnam memorandum of understanding on animal quarantine cooperation signed on April 22, Song said it appears to be accelerating exports related to heat-treated poultry and Hanwoo beef. She added that if the two countries later follow with an MOU on plant quarantine negotiations, it would lead to a win-win outcome for both sides.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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