Song Miryeong, Nominee for Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, "National Economy is Difficult... Will Do Best to Manage Prices"

Candidate Song's First Day at Office
"Timely Response with Agricultural Supply Management System"
"Policies to Revitalize Rural Economy through Youth Influx"

Song Mi-ryeong, the nominee for Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, stated on the 7th, "We will monitor through the supply and demand management system that the government can utilize to stabilize agricultural product prices and supply, and seek ways to respond in a timely manner."

On the same day, upon arriving at the personnel hearing preparation office set up at the aT Center in Yangjae, Seoul, Song met with reporters and said, "The national economy is in a very difficult situation."

Earlier, immediately after her nomination on the 4th, Song had said, "Stabilizing agricultural product prices, which repeatedly experience supply and demand instability, to alleviate consumers' concerns even a little is an urgent task of agricultural and food policy."

Song emphasized the role of youth in the future of rural areas and agriculture. She said, "We will implement various innovative policies, including smart farms, to attract young people to rural areas and revitalize the rural economy," and added, "We will prepare without fail for the enforcement of the 'Act on Rural Space Restructuring and Regeneration Support,' the first step to making our rural areas open living spaces and valuable places, scheduled for March next year."

Regarding the farm-gate rice price, which is below the government's target of 200,000 KRW per 80 kg, she said, "Currently, it is slightly below 200,000 KRW, but various systems are being operated," and added, "I expect results to come out soon."

If Song is appointed as minister, she will become the first female minister since the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs was established in 1948. Regarding this, Song said, "Among our farmers, female farmers account for more than half, so I think I will be able to take care of this aspect more delicately," but added, "However, having worked for 26 years at government-funded research institutes, I have not particularly focused on being a woman. I will do my best to fulfill my duties without distinguishing between men and women."

Song Miryeong, nominee for Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, is answering questions from the press as she arrives at the confirmation hearing preparation office set up at the aT Center in Seocho-gu, Seoul on the 7th. Photo by Kang Jinhyung aymsdream@