[Dec 4 Cabinet Reshuffle] Song Miryeong, Nominee for Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Faces Immediate Tasks: 'Price and Rice Price Stabilization, Ban on Dog Meat Consumption'

Song Miryeong, former Vice President of the Korea Rural Economic Institute, was nominated as the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs on the 4th. Song is the first female minister nominee since the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs was established in 1948. She faces numerous challenges, including stabilizing prices and rice prices, and promoting legislation to ban dog meat consumption.

On the day of her nomination, Song said, "I will devote all my efforts to ensuring that our government's national agenda in the agricultural policy sector is carried out without any setbacks, and I will strive to achieve great results."

The consumer price inflation rate, which had dropped to 2.3% in July, has increased for three consecutive months: 3.4% in August, 3.7% in September, and 3.8% in October. In particular, prices of agricultural and livestock products and processed foods rose by 8% and 4.9% respectively compared to the previous year, exceeding the overall inflation rate last month.

In response, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs has designated dedicated managers for 28 major agricultural and food items for focused management. Previously, managers were assigned mainly for fresh agricultural and livestock products, but going forward, processed foods with high price sensitivity such as bread, milk, snacks, coffee, ramen, ice cream, sugar, cooking oil, and flour will also have designated managers (at the level of section chief) for close monitoring.

Stabilizing the declining farm gate rice prices is also a key task. As of the 25th of last month, the farm gate price of rice was 49,655 KRW per 20 kg, recording 198,620 KRW per 80 kg, falling short of the government's target of 200,000 KRW per 80 kg for this year. Accordingly, the Ministry plans to purchase 50,000 tons of private stock, which is an increase compared to this year, out of the 100,000 tons of food aid volume planned for next year, to be used for aid.

The 'Special Act to Ban Dog Meat Consumption,' which the ruling party and government are pushing to enact within the year, is also a pressing issue. According to the government, there are currently about 1,150 farms raising dogs for consumption, 34 slaughterhouses, 219 distribution companies, and about 1,600 restaurants involved. The special law aims to prohibit the breeding, slaughtering, distribution, and sale of dogs for consumption, while granting a three-year grace period after enforcement to allow the industry to close down, with enforcement starting in 2027. The Ministry plans to support farms that cease dog meat production to transition to livestock or horticulture, providing necessary facilities and operating funds, and will consider additional support measures if needed.

Born in 1967, Song graduated from Ewha Womans University with a degree in Political Science and Diplomacy, earned a master's degree in Urban Planning from Seoul National University, followed by a doctorate in Public Administration. She joined the Korea Rural Economic Institute in 1997 and has served as Director of Planning and Coordination, Vice President, the 14th Director of the Agricultural Outlook Headquarters, and Head of the Agricultural and Rural Policy Research Headquarters at the institute.

Song Mi-ryeong, former vice president of the Korea Rural Economic Institute, was nominated on the 4th as the candidate for Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.