Song Miryeong, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, "Agricultural policy scores 9 out of 10... 'Nongmangbeop' term is an urgent expression"

At the National Assembly Agriculture, Food, Rural Affairs, Oceans and Fisheries Committee Full Meeting

Song Mi-ryeong, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, stated on the 9th that regarding the agricultural policy of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration, "There are still issues to be resolved, so it is difficult to give a perfect score of 10, but I think it deserves a 9."

Minister Song made this remark in response to a question from Moon Dae-rim, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, during the plenary meeting of the Agriculture, Food, Rural Affairs, Oceans and Fisheries Committee held at the National Assembly on the same day, asking, "How many points would you give to the Yoon administration's agricultural policy?"

On the 9th, at the plenary meeting of the Agriculture, Forestry, Livestock, Food, and Maritime Affairs Committee held at the National Assembly, Song Mi-ryeong, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, is reporting on her duties.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

In response, Representative Moon pointed out, "I would hesitate to even give 1 or 2 points," adding, "The collapse of rice prices and Korean beef prices was predictable, but there was inadequate response. The Agricultural Safety Act and Korean Beef Act are also stuck without finding a consensus due to veto discussions."

During the meeting, criticism was also raised regarding Minister Song’s earlier description of the Grain Management Act and the Act on Distribution and Price Stabilization of Agricultural Products, which were promoted mainly by the opposition Democratic Party, as the "Nongmang Act" (a pun implying "ruining agriculture"). Minister Song explained, "It was a desperate expression intended to mean that it could ruin the future of agriculture."

Instead, Minister Song emphasized strengthening the income and management safety nets for farming households and enhancing food security, stating, "We will establish a stable rice supply and demand system and expand rice aid and public stockpiling." She added, "We will prepare detailed plans for income and management safety nets, including expanding income stabilization insurance that guarantees a certain level of average income to respond to management risks such as disasters and price drops, and realizing support for agricultural disaster recovery, within the second half of this year. By the end of this year, we will also develop mid- to long-term measures to stabilize the supply and demand of agricultural products in response to the climate crisis."