Haenam-gun Takes Preemptive Measures to Block Farmland Speculation by Agricultural Corporations

[Haenam=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Hyun] Haenam-gun, Jeollanam-do is taking multifaceted measures to prevent farmland speculation by agricultural corporations in advance.

According to the county on the 25th, following the revision and enforcement of the 'Farmland Act' on the 18th, farmland committees will be established and operated in each eup and myeon (township).

A total of 14 farmland committees have been established across all eup and myeon, and 148 members have been appointed by receiving recommendations for farmland committee members from each eup and myeon.

Considering that the farmland acquisition complaint processing period is 14 days, the farmland committees are scheduled to operate twice a month.

They will focus on reviewing those who do not reside in the location of the farmland or adjacent cities/counties and intend to acquire farmland in that jurisdiction for the first time, those who intend to acquire farmland shared by three or more people for one parcel, and those who are agricultural corporations, foreigners, or overseas Koreans acquiring farmland.

The county plans to strengthen the review of farmland acquisition qualification certificates through the establishment and operation of farmland committees, and conduct annual surveys on agricultural corporations to reinforce sanctions against poorly managed agricultural corporations.

Meanwhile, the county is actively promoting follow-up measures in response to the Board of Audit and Inspection's audit results on the management and support system operation of agricultural corporations.

Previously, the Board of Audit and Inspection conducted audits on 17 metropolitan local governments and 101 basic local governments, identifying 234 agricultural corporations that engaged in real estate trading beyond the scope of their business or falsely applied for farmland acquisition qualification certificates. Haenam-gun had 9 such cases, and the county is proceeding with procedures such as filing for dissolution for 2 agricultural corporations that pursued businesses outside their purpose, and for 7 agricultural corporations that obtained farmland acquisition qualification certificates by falsifying agricultural management plans, the county will establish specific handling plans according to relevant laws (former Farmland Act Article 58, Clause 1) and take follow-up actions.

A county official stated, “We will strengthen the management of agricultural corporations by operating the farmland committees effectively and conducting annual surveys on agricultural corporations.”

Haenam=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Hyun alwatros@asiae.co.kr