"Agriculture is a Strategic Industry… The State Must Fulfill Its Responsibility in the Face of the Climate Crisis"
Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, announced his agricultural and rural policies, stating, "In the era of climate crisis, the state will take responsibility for food production and create rural areas where everyone wants to live."
On the morning of the 11th, he revealed his policy vision for the agro-food sector through his Facebook and stated, "I will guarantee farm income akin to that of advanced countries."
He emphasized, "Agriculture is no longer just a primary industry. It is a strategic industry that protects food sovereignty and underpins national security," adding that "rural areas must transform into new hubs that lead energy transition and balanced development." In particular, he stressed the urgent need for a transition to climate-adaptive agriculture that is resilient to climate change.
From 'One-thousand Won Breakfast' to 'Sunlight Pension'… Numerous Rural Welfare Policies Included
Lee presented specific policies targeting both farm welfare and consumer rights. He proposed initiatives such as "One-thousand Won Breakfast" for university students and workers, a "Food Voucher" for unemployed youth, an "Eco-friendly Agricultural Produce Package" for pregnant women, and a snack support program for elementary school students.
Furthermore, he declared support for expanding eco-friendly and organic farming, along with a transition to sustainable livestock farming, and announced the gradual introduction of a complete labeling system for genetically modified organisms (GMOs) to ensure consumers' right to know and choice.
The policies also included the concept of basic income for rural areas. Lee mentioned plans to provide allowances for rural residents, expand public direct payments, stabilize agricultural product prices, establish a national disaster accountability system, and support essential agricultural materials, aiming to secure a stable income base for farms. He also mentioned the introduction of a 'Sunlight Pension' concept for sharing profits from solar energy for farms.
Re-initiating the Grain Management Act…"Stabilizing Rice Prices and Innovating Land Systems"
Lee expressed his stance on re-initiating the Grain Management Act, which was previously pushed by the ruling party during the Moon Jae-in administration but was stalled due to a veto by the Yoon Seok-yeol administration. He stated, "I will re-establish a legal framework to expand the cultivation of alternative crops and stabilize the prices of rice and food crops."
He further expressed his intention to reform agricultural product distribution, saying, "I will reorganize the structure so that benefits return to both producers and consumers," indicating a willingness to improve distribution stages.
Additionally, he stated, "I will introduce a retirement pension scheme for farmers and expand the land transfer retirement payment system to ensure stable generational replacement," adding, "I will accelerate the early development of agricultural bio-resources, and comprehensively reform land systems through the consolidation of farmland and the expansion of public reserve farmland."
Lee concluded, "Now is the time for the state to respond with responsible agricultural policies," affirming, "I will boldly transition agriculture into a core industry for balanced development and food security, making it a sustainable future industry that responds to the climate crisis."
Image source: News1
