During a national audit of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, lawmakers criticized the government's handling of a comprehensive investigation into agricultural land. The ruling People Power Party questioned the lack of prior review and accountability for farmer impacts, while the opposition Democratic Party pointed out the government's inadequate response to concerns over land seizure.
Minister Song Mi-ryung stated that the government plans to legalize most common and habitual violations without imposing penalties.
The audit session on October 7 was briefly suspended due to clashes over placards linking land investigations to solar power policies.
Kim Seon-kyo, a lawmaker from the People Power Party, argued that the government should adhere to its policy principles while emphasizing the use of solar energy in its land investigation. In response, Yoon Jun-byeong of the Democratic Party countered that labeling the land investigation as a means to drive farmers out is misguided.
After the session resumed, Minister Song remarked in her opening statement that the government does not intend to penalize most common and habitual violations and announced plans for special legislation and institutional reforms. She noted that while cases deemed speculative could lead to penalties, there would be sufficient due process.
In a related inquiry, Lee Gae-ho of the People Power Party pressed whether there had been prior consultations and assessments of the potential impacts before the President's directive on the land investigation. He raised concerns about falling land prices and the anxieties of elderly, ill, or inheriting landowners, holding the Minister accountable.
Minister Song responded that she had explained the need for agricultural system reform in a report last year and had subsequently presented the investigation plan. She acknowledged that unexpected issues had arisen but maintained that the decline in land prices had been ongoing and that the government had always aimed to distinguish between habitual violations and speculation.
Lee Gae-ho criticized the initial responses from field officials, stating that there was a significant lack of explanation and persuasion to alleviate fears of land seizure. When asked if there were plans to seize farmers' land, Minister Song replied, "No."
Lee also claimed that farmers were informed they would face fines of 30% of the publicly assessed value if they did not sell their land. Minister Song denied any such plans and acknowledged the need for better guidance in the field.
When Lee requested a shift in focus to non-cultivated land and speculation in the metropolitan area, Minister Song replied that she would consider it.
Regarding basic income for rural communities, Lee Gae-ho called for increased national funding and differentiated support based on local finances. Minister Song stated that while discussions with the finance authorities would take place, any nationwide expansion would depend on the results of pilot projects to be assessed by next year.
Additionally, Minister Song indicated that discussions on joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) would be re-evaluated from scratch, and that reforms within the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation would be implemented promptly based on discussions in the National Assembly. Plans for rice supply measures during the harvest season will be developed after consultations with producer groups following the announcement of expected production figures on October 8.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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