Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Song Mi-ryung addressed concerns regarding the nationwide agricultural land survey, stating, "We will rectify cases that are clearly for speculative purposes," and added, "For violations that do not fall under this category, we will provide sufficient grace periods and create pathways for legal use."
According to reports on the 24th, Minister Song shared these remarks in a post on her social media platform the previous day, explaining that the purpose of the agricultural land survey is to ensure that land is used properly for agriculture and to enhance farmers' incomes.
She elaborated that the survey aims to assess the ownership and usage status of agricultural land across the country, identify reasons for land being fallow, determine actual cultivators, and ascertain necessary support. The findings will inform necessary reforms to the agricultural land system.
Minister Song stated that illegal leasing and neglect of agricultural land acquired for speculative purposes, as well as land owned by agricultural corporations, will be addressed in accordance with the law. Actions will also be taken against significant damage to agricultural preservation areas.
For violations that do not meet these criteria, she explained that sufficient grace periods will be provided, and legal usage options will be established. Land that is fallow due to the inability to find tenants or other unavoidable circumstances can be managed through the Agricultural Land Bank, and procedures will be put in place to allow continued use of agricultural facilities installed without permission.
Minister Song emphasized, "To achieve this, we will work with the National Assembly to enact special legislation within the year and reform the agricultural land system next year," adding, "We aim to make good agricultural land more accessible for farmers and ensure it serves as a reliable asset for the elderly and a foundation for young farmers to start anew."
Earlier, President Lee Jae-myung directed the agricultural land survey in February. Subsequently, a bill to strengthen the agricultural land survey and disposal orders passed the National Assembly on May 7, and the government and local authorities began the basic survey on May 18, marking the official start of the survey.
However, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced at the end of July that approximately 27% of agricultural land acquired since 1996 was identified as suspected violations of agricultural law, such as illegal leasing or unauthorized fallowing. Following this, the revised agricultural law, which strengthens the disposal order system for non-cultivated land, was implemented last month, causing significant unrest among farmers.
According to reports on the 24th, Minister Song shared these remarks in a post on her social media platform the previous day, explaining that the purpose of the agricultural land survey is to ensure that land is used properly for agriculture and to enhance farmers' incomes.
She elaborated that the survey aims to assess the ownership and usage status of agricultural land across the country, identify reasons for land being fallow, determine actual cultivators, and ascertain necessary support. The findings will inform necessary reforms to the agricultural land system.
Minister Song stated that illegal leasing and neglect of agricultural land acquired for speculative purposes, as well as land owned by agricultural corporations, will be addressed in accordance with the law. Actions will also be taken against significant damage to agricultural preservation areas.
For violations that do not meet these criteria, she explained that sufficient grace periods will be provided, and legal usage options will be established. Land that is fallow due to the inability to find tenants or other unavoidable circumstances can be managed through the Agricultural Land Bank, and procedures will be put in place to allow continued use of agricultural facilities installed without permission.
Minister Song emphasized, "To achieve this, we will work with the National Assembly to enact special legislation within the year and reform the agricultural land system next year," adding, "We aim to make good agricultural land more accessible for farmers and ensure it serves as a reliable asset for the elderly and a foundation for young farmers to start anew."
Earlier, President Lee Jae-myung directed the agricultural land survey in February. Subsequently, a bill to strengthen the agricultural land survey and disposal orders passed the National Assembly on May 7, and the government and local authorities began the basic survey on May 18, marking the official start of the survey.
However, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced at the end of July that approximately 27% of agricultural land acquired since 1996 was identified as suspected violations of agricultural law, such as illegal leasing or unauthorized fallowing. Following this, the revised agricultural law, which strengthens the disposal order system for non-cultivated land, was implemented last month, causing significant unrest among farmers.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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