Moon Geumju: "Institutional Foundation Established for the Survival and Development of the Hanwoo Industry"

'The Hanwoo Act' Passes the National Assembly
"National Responsibility Codified"

Moon Geumju, member of the Democratic Party of Korea.

The 'Hanwoo Act' (officially, the Act on the Transition and Support of the Hanwoo Industry in Response to Carbon Neutrality), proposed by Moon Geumju, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea representing Goheung, Boseong, Jangheung, and Gangjin in South Jeolla Province, passed the plenary session on July 3.

The 'Hanwoo Act' is a long-standing demand of the Hanwoo industry, which is facing rising feed costs and the challenges posed by FTAs. The Democratic Party of Korea adopted this bill as its official party platform. The main provisions of the bill include: establishing comprehensive and implementation plans for the development of the Hanwoo industry; creating the Hanwoo Industry Development Council; providing slaughter and shipment incentives and management improvement funds to Hanwoo farms; and requiring companies participating in production to prepare cooperation plans with Hanwoo farms. The bill passed the National Assembly plenary session about one year after it was discarded due to the exercise of veto power by former President Yoon Sukyeol's administration.

The passage of this bill by the National Assembly is expected to serve as a significant turning point for overcoming the complex crises facing the Hanwoo industry, such as price instability, environmental regulations, and industrial structural changes, and for strengthening national food security.

Moon stated, "The enactment of the 'Hanwoo Act' codifies the national responsibility for the survival and development of the Hanwoo industry," adding, "Farmers who have suffered from price instability and environmental regulations will now be able to look ahead under sustainable conditions."

Moon further emphasized, "The 'Hanwoo Act' is an important milestone that provides the Hanwoo industry with substantial legal protection from the state," and added, "The National Assembly will continue to provide institutional support to ensure that Hanwoo farmers can maintain stable production conditions in the future."