Honam Farmers Drive to Seoul
Urging Presidential Candidates to Guarantee Rice Prices and Commit to Agricultural Policy Pledges
Farmers from the Honam region are driving their tractors toward Seoul. Their goal is to protect the value of rice and speak out for their survival. They plan to demand that presidential candidates sign agricultural policy pledges, stating, "We will ask the candidates directly."
On the 2nd, tractors participating in the "Jeju Farmers Rally to Urge the Enactment of the Ordinance for Essential Agricultural Materials Support and the Basic Farmers Act to Protect Jeju Agriculture," hosted by Jeju Farmers' Road and organized by the Jeju Agricultural Organizations Council, were parked on the road in front of Jeju Provincial Office. Photo by Yonhap News
According to the Gwangju-Jeonnam Federation of the Korean Peasants League on May 7, farmers drove 28 tractors from Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju, heading to Seoul via Jangseong and Jeongeup. After holding departure ceremonies in Muan, South Jeolla Province and Gwangju the previous day, they plan to join with farmers from North Jeolla Province and arrive at Gwanghwamun in Seoul on May 10, passing through Gongju, Cheonan, Pyeongtaek, and Suwon.
This protest is the third collective action organized by the "Jeon Bongjun Protest Group" of the Korean Peasants League. At the rally in Gwanghwamun, they plan to hold a meeting with presidential candidates and directly collect signatures for agricultural reform pledges.
The farmers' organizations have put forth key demands, including: a halt to rice imports; guaranteed minimum prices for agricultural products; protection of the rights of women farmers; mandatory use of local agricultural products in military meals; and a ban on the import and sale of GMOs. They are also calling for the enactment of a "Basic Farmers Act" that includes these demands, as well as constitutional amendments.
A representative of the organization stated, "We are leading this march to Seoul with tractors at the forefront in order to completely eradicate forces of insurrection and move toward a new era," adding, "We will demand the enactment of a Basic Farmers Act that includes strengthening food sovereignty and the obligation to protect agriculture."
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