Prime Minister Kim Min-seok Meets with Farmers' Groups Opposing Minister Song Mi-ryeong's Reappointment as His First Official Schedule
On the 4th, Prime Minister Kim Min-seok held a meeting with representatives of farmers' groups opposing the reappointment of Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Song Mi-ryeong as his first official schedule since taking office.
Right after receiving his appointment letter from President Lee Jae-myung at the presidential office in Yongsan, Kim visited the representatives of eight farmers' organizations, including the National Farmers' Association, who were staging protests in front of the presidential office, to explain the background and necessity of Minister Song's continued tenure.
In this meeting, Prime Minister Kim emphasized that Minister Song's reappointment does not signal the agricultural policy direction of the Lee Jae-myung administration. He elaborated, "President Lee Jae-myung has a strong awareness of food sovereignty and agricultural security, and believes that this government must take direct responsibility for agricultural policies more than any previous government."
He firmly stated that Minister Song's reappointment does not foreshadow the agricultural policy direction of the Lee Jae-myung administration.
Emphasizing Agricultural Reform and National Unity
Prime Minister Kim also shared his considerations during the selection process for the new minister.
He mentioned, "There were concerns about whether appointing a new minister who had more communication with farmers would be a better choice." However, he added, "I thought that retaining at least one minister from the previous government might have significance in terms of the overall trend of national unity."
In particular, Prime Minister Kim explained the criteria for reappointment, stating, "Since there were almost no areas in which the previous government particularly excelled, any selection would have faced criticism." He remarked, "The judgment could only be made based on how much involvement there was in the turmoil, and my sense is that the current apparent involvement might have played a role in the decision that it was less significant."
Regarding the direction of agricultural policy, he asserted, "If we simply continued past policies, neither the president nor the members of the Democratic Party would have found it easy to agree," emphasizing that "a government of popular sovereignty is, in some ways, a government of farmers' sovereignty."
Prime Minister Kim stated, "The process we have been discussing together, the time we spent in Namtaeryeong together, and the process of developing the four agricultural laws are all part of a continuum, and I am confident that overall we will see the framework we have been preparing and promoting come to fruition."
Promise of Dialogue and Communication
Prime Minister Kim committed to ongoing communication with farmers' groups, stating, "The new government should engage in social discussions and dialogues, aiming to create social agreements established through equal discussions with the sovereigns."
He also presented specific plans for future meetings.
He suggested, "As I move into the official residence, let's have a cup of tea and talk during the second week there or at the government office," adding, "While the president likely wants to discuss various topics, I will ensure that conversations with farmers are prioritized."
Prime Minister Kim's actions reflect an effort to manage conflicts in the early stages of the government by communicating with farmers' groups immediately after his appointment. It is crucial to pay attention to the future direction of agricultural policy and the establishment of relations with farmers' organizations.
Image source: News1
