Nongan Act and Grain Management Act, Previously Vetoed by Yoon Administration, Passed by National Assembly

Two Major Agricultural Bills Pass in National Assembly on August 4

The amendments to the Act on Distribution and Price Stabilization of Agricultural and Fishery Products (Nongan Act) and the Grain Management Act, both of which former President Yoon Suk-yeol had exercised his right to request reconsideration (veto), have passed the plenary session of the National Assembly.

On the 4th, the partial amendment bill of the Grain Management Act was passed at the plenary session of the National Assembly. 2025.8.4 Photo by Kim Hyunmin

On August 4, at the plenary session of the National Assembly held in Yeouido, the amendments to the Nongan Act and the Grain Management Act were passed. The amendment to the Nongan Act was approved with 205 votes in favor, 13 against, and 19 abstentions out of 237 members present. The amendment to the Grain Management Act was approved with 199 votes in favor, 15 against, and 22 abstentions.

The Nongan Act and the Grain Management Act strengthen proactive supply and demand control by requiring the minister of the relevant department to establish annual supply and demand plans for agricultural and fishery products and for grains, respectively. The Grain Management Act also includes provisions for managing the cultivation area of rice and other crops.

Post-management and compensation for supply and demand will also be implemented. Under the Nongan Act, if the average price of the designated item for the year falls below the reference price, the difference will be compensated to producers.

The Grain Management Act allows for post-supply management measures, such as purchasing rice, to be taken according to supply stabilization measures determined by the Grain Supply and Demand Management Committee if the price of rice falls below a certain threshold or if there is excess production.

Previously, the so-called "Four Agricultural Laws," including the Grain Management Act and the Nongan Act, were passed in the plenary session of the National Assembly led by the Democratic Party. However, in December of last year, then-Acting President Han Duck-soo, who was the former Prime Minister, exercised his veto. In the case of the Grain Management Act, it was also the first bill that former President Yoon Suk-yeol vetoed after taking office in April 2023.