Kim Jong-gu, Vice Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, meets with agricultural leaders on May 7. [Photo=Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs]
The government, which is pushing for reforms in agricultural cooperatives, gathered feedback from farmers on May 7. Officials expressed intentions to address concerns about election fervor and rising costs.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Vice Minister Kim Jong-gu held a meeting with agricultural organization leaders at the aT Center in Seoul. He discussed the reform plans announced during government discussions on March 11 and April 1.
Attendees included over 30 representatives from various agricultural organizations, such as Lee Seung-ho, president of the Korean Federation of Agricultural and Livestock Organizations, and Noh Man-ho, permanent representative of the Korean Comprehensive Agricultural Organizations Council.
During the meeting, the ministry outlined key reform proposals, including the introduction of direct elections for members and the establishment of an Agricultural Cooperative Audit Committee. They also shared feedback gathered from previous meetings with cooperative leaders and regional briefings.
Last month, the government held regional briefings in Daegu, Cheongju, and Suwon to collect opinions from cooperative leaders, members, agricultural organizations, and experts. Concerns raised included the potential for election fervor and politicization with direct elections, as well as worries about organizational expansion and financial burdens from the new audit committee.
In response, Vice Minister Kim stated that they are considering alternatives such as strengthening the eligibility for candidates and introducing public elections, as well as simultaneous elections for the president and cooperative leaders. He also assured that they would explore cost-saving measures through organizational efficiency to address concerns about increased expenses from the independent audit committee.
Kim emphasized, "This reform aims to improve the abnormal operational structure of agricultural cooperatives revealed in special audits and ultimately restore these organizations to serve their members and farmers. We will address the concerns raised in today's meeting during the legislative process."
According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Vice Minister Kim Jong-gu held a meeting with agricultural organization leaders at the aT Center in Seoul. He discussed the reform plans announced during government discussions on March 11 and April 1.
Attendees included over 30 representatives from various agricultural organizations, such as Lee Seung-ho, president of the Korean Federation of Agricultural and Livestock Organizations, and Noh Man-ho, permanent representative of the Korean Comprehensive Agricultural Organizations Council.
During the meeting, the ministry outlined key reform proposals, including the introduction of direct elections for members and the establishment of an Agricultural Cooperative Audit Committee. They also shared feedback gathered from previous meetings with cooperative leaders and regional briefings.
Last month, the government held regional briefings in Daegu, Cheongju, and Suwon to collect opinions from cooperative leaders, members, agricultural organizations, and experts. Concerns raised included the potential for election fervor and politicization with direct elections, as well as worries about organizational expansion and financial burdens from the new audit committee.
In response, Vice Minister Kim stated that they are considering alternatives such as strengthening the eligibility for candidates and introducing public elections, as well as simultaneous elections for the president and cooperative leaders. He also assured that they would explore cost-saving measures through organizational efficiency to address concerns about increased expenses from the independent audit committee.
Kim emphasized, "This reform aims to improve the abnormal operational structure of agricultural cooperatives revealed in special audits and ultimately restore these organizations to serve their members and farmers. We will address the concerns raised in today's meeting during the legislative process."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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