<기사>First Vice Minister Gi Jae: "Releasing 170 Tons of Cabbage Daily This Month... Full Effort to Stabilize Prices"

First Emergency Economic Vice-Minister Meeting and Price-Related Vice-Minister Meeting After the General Election

Amid growing concerns over inflation driven by volatile international oil prices due to expanding geopolitical risks, Kim Byung-hwan, First Vice Minister of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, stated, "we will strengthen on-site inspections and fact-finding investigations to prevent price hikes linked to oil prices and price collusion in the distribution process of agricultural and marine products," expressing a firm commitment to stabilizing prices.

On the 12th, Kim Byung-hwan presided over the '38th Emergency Economic Vice Ministers' Meeting and the 17th Price-Related Vice Ministers' Meeting' at the Government Seoul Office, stating, "Since instability factors such as prices, international oil prices, and agricultural product prices continue, we will remain vigilant and respond with full force to stabilize prices."

First, he announced that 170 tons of napa cabbage will be released daily throughout this month, 5,000 tons of onions will be imported under low tariff rates, and 3,000 tons of green onions will be supplied under quota tariffs without disruption. Additionally, traditional market agricultural discount vouchers worth a total of 40 billion KRW will be issued in April.

Vice Minister Kim said, "We will release about 170 tons of napa cabbage daily in April, which is more than half of the average daily total inflow (314 tons) at Garak Market, and supply 5,000 tons of onions under low tariff imports and 3,000 tons of green onions under quota tariffs without any issues."

Kim Byung-hwan, First Vice Minister of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, is speaking about price trends at the Emergency Economic Vice Ministers' Meeting and Price-Related Vice Ministers' Meeting held on the 12th at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jo Yong-jun jun21@

He continued, "Since last week, we have been supplying directly imported fruits to over 12,000 neighborhood commercial districts nationwide, supported agricultural product delivery prices at 16 traditional markets this week, and will issue traditional market agricultural discount vouchers worth a total of 40 billion KRW in April," promising these measures.

Regarding concerns over soaring fuel costs due to increased volatility in international oil prices, he emphasized, "To prevent price hikes linked to oil prices and price collusion in the distribution process of agricultural and marine products, we will strengthen cross-government on-site inspections and fact-finding investigations."

Vice Minister Kim stated, "Through the 'Agricultural and Marine Products Distribution Structure Improvement Task Force (TF),' which includes the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, and the Fair Trade Commission, we will conduct fact-finding investigations on collusion and unfair practices in the distribution process and prepare measures to improve the distribution structure of agricultural and marine products."

Regarding the 'Three Revival Projects for Population Declining Areas' announced in the economic policy direction last January, he added that specific implementation plans, such as tax special provisions for activating second homes, plans to create small-scale tourist complexes, and expansion of region-specific visas, will be finalized next week through the Emergency Economic Ministers' Meeting.