[Yongsan Report] Yongsan Surprised by 'Geum Cabbage'... "Strengthening Climate Change Response Capabilities"

Summer Heatwave Causes Sharp Rise in Cabbage Prices... Kimjang Crisis
Limitations of Late Responses Like 'Importing Chinese Cabbage'
Presidential Office Strengthens Mid- to Long-Term Weather Forecasting Capabilities
Agricultural Products Require Preemptive Measures... "Prices Are Stabilizing"

On the afternoon of the 26th, when the cabbage supply issue persisted, the cabbage display at the vegetable section of a large supermarket in downtown Seoul was completely empty. [Image source=Yonhap News]

As cabbage prices surged sharply this summer due to the heatwave, the Presidential Office has begun preparing countermeasures. They plan to strengthen mid- to long-term weather forecasting capabilities and thoroughly manage agricultural product supply and demand through this. The Presidential Office's Livelihood Price Task Force (TF), which acts as the 'price control tower,' will also increase the weight of weather changes in its price management duties.

A senior official from the Presidential Office said on the 27th regarding the sharp rise in cabbage prices, "Unlike in the past, the price TF will be able to reflect overall weather changes," adding, "Since the Climate and Environment Secretariat has been moved under the Office of the Chief of Science and Technology, it is also necessary to strengthen capabilities related to weather."

The Presidential Office and the government are already predicting weather changes and responding to agricultural product price fluctuations through the price TF and other means. However, as price instability continues with record-breaking heatwaves causing cabbage prices to soar, there is growing recognition of the need to further strengthen capabilities related to climate change.

In fact, this year, cabbage supply decreased due to reduced cultivation area, heatwaves, and droughts, causing the price per head of cabbage to rise significantly to around 9,500 won, much higher than the previous year. In some supermarkets, prices rose to as high as 20,000 won per head. As concerns over a 'Kimjang crisis' grew, demand for packaged kimchi increased, leading to an unusual shortage phenomenon.

In response, the government introduced price stabilization measures such as importing Chinese cabbage and supporting discounts at large supermarkets, but these were criticized as 'band-aid' solutions. This is because agricultural product price volatility has expanded to include not only 'gold cabbage' but also the 'gold vegetable' series such as gold apples, gold radishes, and gold pears, yet policies have repeatedly been reactive rather than proactive.

On the afternoon of the 26th, a cabbage field in Munnae-myeon, Haenam-gun, Jeollanam-do is completely empty. [Image source=Yonhap News]

However, the Presidential Office explained that recent concerns about rising cabbage prices are somewhat excessive and that prices remain stable overall. A senior official said, "The actual price of cabbage is around 10,000 won per head, and in large supermarkets, it is sold for about 7,000 to 8,000 won," adding, "Overall prices are stable at around 2%."