Shin Jeong-hoon: "Farmland Must Not Become a Speculation Ground... Will Seek Legal Alternatives"

Discussion on "Amendment Directions of the Gyeongja-yujeon Farmland Act" to be Held on the 30th

[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Chae-eun] Shin Jeong-hoon, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, announced that he will "seek legal alternatives" regarding the lax Farmland Act, which has been identified as the root cause of the LH scandal.

At the discussion forum titled "Directions for Amending the Farmland Act to Realize the Principle of Cultivating One's Own Land," hosted on the 30th, Rep. Shin stated, "We must no longer allow farmland to be turned into speculative grounds for outsiders seeking to increase their wealth." He added, "The current Farmland Act contains excessive exceptions allowing non-farmers to own farmland, effectively undermining the Constitution."

Rep. Shin pointed out, "The farmland acquisition qualification certification system, which should serve as a shield to preemptively block non-farmers from owning farmland, is merely a formality. Moreover, with the relaxation of farmland acquisition requirements for agricultural corporations, it has become difficult to regulate practices such as splitting shares for sale by planned real estate investors and speculation. Additionally, there have been cases of system abuse, such as planting fruit trees and then neglecting them during the grace period after farmland disposal obligations are imposed."

He emphasized, "Farmland is an essential resource that performs functions related to food security and national land environmental conservation. Including the proposed amendments presented at today's forum, I will seek alternatives to preserve rural areas and uphold the value of agriculture."

Meanwhile, the presentation at the forum was delivered by lawyer Lim Young-hwan on the topic "Directions for Amending the Farmland Act to Realize the Principle of Cultivating One's Own Land." The session was chaired by Kim Ho, Executive Director of the Citizens' Coalition for Economic Justice and professor at Dankook University. Attendees included Lee Moo-jin, Policy Chairman of the National Farmers' Federation; Seo Yong-seok, Deputy Secretary-General of the Korea Agricultural Management Association Central Federation; Han Sang-hee, professor at Konkuk University Law School; Kim Kyu-ho, legislative researcher at the National Assembly Legislative Research Office; and Kim Jeong-hee, Director of Agricultural Policy at the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.

The forum was jointly hosted by Rep. Shin Jeong-hoon, Lee Gae-ho, Chairman of the National Assembly Agriculture, Food, Rural Affairs, Oceans and Fisheries Committee, Rep. Yoon Jae-gap, the National Farmers' Federation, and the Citizens' Coalition for Economic Justice.