Hong Moon-pyo, president of the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation (aT) and a four-term lawmaker, is recognized as an expert in agricultural policy, having spent most of his legislative career on the National Assembly's Committee on Agriculture, Food, Rural Affairs, Oceans and Fisheries.
Born in 1947, Hong graduated from Han Young High School, earned a degree in agricultural chemistry from Konkuk University, and completed a graduate program in public administration at Hanyang University. He entered politics in 1985 as a senior secretary to the Speaker of the National Assembly, Lee Jae-hyung. He served as a lawmaker for the 17th, 19th, 20th, and 21st National Assemblies, representing Hongseong and Yesan counties in South Chungcheong Province. He also served as the fifth president of the Korea Rural Community Corporation from 2008 to 2011.
Hong stated, "I am implementing policies based on my time spent alongside farmers and fishermen, and it is rewarding to always be close to the agricultural field and the people, especially farmers and fishermen."
Now in his third year as president, Hong cites a shift in awareness regarding the climate crisis as one of his key achievements. He remarked, "We have moved beyond merely trying to prevent or delay climate change. Since my appointment, we have acknowledged that the climate crisis is a present reality and have begun discussions on adaptation."
A significant development has been the restructuring of the organization. Shortly after Hong's appointment, aT established a temporary organization to address climate change and has conducted multiple public hearings and field discussions over the past two years. Subsequently, aT became the first public institution to formalize a dedicated climate change response department.
Improvements in agricultural distribution structures are also highlighted as major achievements. According to aT's research, distribution costs for agricultural products from production areas to consumers account for 49.2% of consumer prices. Hong noted, "During my time as a lawmaker, I proposed legislation to establish a legal framework for online wholesale markets. The transaction volume of the online wholesale market exceeded 1 trillion won within two years of its launch, reducing intermediary distribution costs and allowing the benefits to reach consumers and producers."
Additionally, the long-awaited export of Hanwoo beef to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been realized. The UAE is seen as a symbolic gateway for Hanwoo to enter the Middle Eastern market, which is a hub for politics, industry, and culture. This development is viewed as a stepping stone for Hanwoo to access halal markets worldwide, including Indonesia.
Born in 1947, Hong graduated from Han Young High School, earned a degree in agricultural chemistry from Konkuk University, and completed a graduate program in public administration at Hanyang University. He entered politics in 1985 as a senior secretary to the Speaker of the National Assembly, Lee Jae-hyung. He served as a lawmaker for the 17th, 19th, 20th, and 21st National Assemblies, representing Hongseong and Yesan counties in South Chungcheong Province. He also served as the fifth president of the Korea Rural Community Corporation from 2008 to 2011.
Hong stated, "I am implementing policies based on my time spent alongside farmers and fishermen, and it is rewarding to always be close to the agricultural field and the people, especially farmers and fishermen."
Now in his third year as president, Hong cites a shift in awareness regarding the climate crisis as one of his key achievements. He remarked, "We have moved beyond merely trying to prevent or delay climate change. Since my appointment, we have acknowledged that the climate crisis is a present reality and have begun discussions on adaptation."
A significant development has been the restructuring of the organization. Shortly after Hong's appointment, aT established a temporary organization to address climate change and has conducted multiple public hearings and field discussions over the past two years. Subsequently, aT became the first public institution to formalize a dedicated climate change response department.
Improvements in agricultural distribution structures are also highlighted as major achievements. According to aT's research, distribution costs for agricultural products from production areas to consumers account for 49.2% of consumer prices. Hong noted, "During my time as a lawmaker, I proposed legislation to establish a legal framework for online wholesale markets. The transaction volume of the online wholesale market exceeded 1 trillion won within two years of its launch, reducing intermediary distribution costs and allowing the benefits to reach consumers and producers."
Additionally, the long-awaited export of Hanwoo beef to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been realized. The UAE is seen as a symbolic gateway for Hanwoo to enter the Middle Eastern market, which is a hub for politics, industry, and culture. This development is viewed as a stepping stone for Hanwoo to access halal markets worldwide, including Indonesia.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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