South Korea's Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Song Mi-ryeong, is taking steps to address farmers' concerns regarding the results of a recent agricultural land survey. The government has decided not to take action based solely on the survey results for general cases that are unrelated to speculation, such as inherited farmland and traditional leases by elderly farmers.
On October 14, Minister Song held a meeting with village leaders and farmers at the Hamyang County Office in Gyeongnam to explain the follow-up measures and plans for system improvements related to the land survey. This meeting was organized to listen to local concerns about the potential consequences of the survey results and to clarify the government's stance.
“The land survey is not intended to punish farmers who are diligently working the land,” Minister Song stated. “We are currently working on legislation to ensure that general cases arising from rural realities will not lead to enforcement actions based solely on this survey.”
She explained that there will be no obligation to take action or impose penalties based on the survey results for general cases unrelated to speculation, including inherited farmland, traditional leases by elderly farmers, unregistered inherited farmland, and land that is difficult to farm, such as steep slopes.
Minister Song also emphasized that participation in the farmland bank is optional for farmers. If they wish, farmers can lease or sell their land through the farmland bank, and plans are in place to expand the purchasing and trust functions of the bank. Temporary measures will also be established to convert traditional leases into legal contracts and to regularize unpermitted agricultural facilities.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs aims to amend the Farmland Act next year to reduce the gap between rural realities and legal systems, thereby improving the farming conditions for agricultural workers.
Additionally, the ministry is providing consultation related to the land survey. Since October 12, the Ministry and the Korea Rural Community Corporation have been operating a consultation center to guide farmers on the three types of speculation defined by the government and to assist elderly farmers and others facing difficulties in farming with access to the farmland bank's leasing, public rental land purchases, and farmland pension programs.
Types of land speculation include acquiring farmland under false pretenses in designated land transaction approval areas, illegal leasing or leaving land fallow, and agricultural corporations engaging in real estate activities. The illegal installation of non-agricultural facilities, such as campsites or storage areas, in agricultural promotion areas is also highlighted as a serious case of illegal land use.
Minister Song acknowledged, “I take seriously the insufficient explanations regarding how farmland will be handled following the survey, and I will ensure that the government provides more detailed guidance on the measures that address the actual concerns of farmers.”
* This article has been translated by AI.
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