Emphasizing 'Nongshim' and Urging Acceptance of the Bill
"Opposition to Unlimited Purchase" Expected Demand for Reconsideration by Yoon
Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, has called on President Yoon Seok-yeol to approve the 'Amendment to the Grain Management Act' passed by the National Assembly. This appears to be in response to the high possibility of President Yoon exercising his veto power after the Democratic Party forcibly passed the bill by directly submitting it to the plenary session.
On the 24th, Lee stated on Facebook, "Yesterday, the Democratic Party passed the 'Rice Price Normalization Act' to protect farmers' livelihoods in the National Assembly plenary session," and urged, "I call on President Yoon Seok-yeol to immediately accept the 'Rice Price Normalization Act.'"
He emphasized the necessity of the bill's amendment, saying, "Farmers are suffering greatly from the collapse of rice prices, and their distress is so severe that they are plowing under yellowed rice plants. It is necessary to mandate government market isolation before this damage affects the entire nation."
He also pointed out, "Although the opposition party proposed measures to protect rural areas and safeguard food security, the government and ruling party repeatedly opposed without presenting proper alternatives," and added, "Now that the bill has passed, the government and ruling party are mentioning the 'presidential veto.'"
The day before, the Amendment to the Grain Management Act was passed in the National Assembly plenary session led by the Democratic Party. In response, the Presidential Office spokesperson stated in a press release, "Once the amendment is sent to the government, we will listen to opinions, including concerns from various sectors, and carefully consider them." However, since President Yoon previously stated in his remarks during the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs briefing in January that "unlimited purchase is by no means desirable for our agriculture," it is expected that he will request reconsideration.
Jung Hwang-geun, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, also announced in a briefing immediately after the plenary session passage, "We will propose a request for reconsideration to President Yoon."
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