Seo Samsuk Calls for Meticulous Policies to Establish Food Security

"Thorough Preparation Needed from the Planning Stage for Budget Allocation"

Seosamsuk, member of the Democratic Party of Korea.

Seo Samsuk, a lawmaker from the Democratic Party of Korea representing Yeongam, Muan, and Shinan in South Jeolla Province, pointed out the insufficient implementation of projects related to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs during the 2024 fiscal year settlement review held recently. He stated, "As agricultural and fisheries disasters caused by abnormal weather patterns are occurring more frequently, the government needs to pursue meticulous policies to establish food security."

Seo emphasized, "Although the self-sufficiency rate for food and grains declined in 2023 compared to the previous year, the Ministry's major projects have been delayed or left unexecuted, resulting in a lack of tangible results. Since the budget is funded by taxpayers' money, a thorough inspection system is needed from the planning stage to ensure smooth implementation."

In particular, Seo criticized the lack of progress in key food-related projects. The "Rice Supply and Demand Prediction System Establishment Project" was originally scheduled to be introduced at the end of last year, but due to delays in consultations with the Ministry of Economy and Finance, it is now expected to be established only at the end of this year. The "Vegetable Price Stabilization Support Project" failed to meet the activation requirements due to rising agricultural product prices, resulting in 14.3 billion won of unused funds. Seo stated, "In the case of the Vegetable Price Stabilization Support Project, alternative measures such as coupon programs linked to consumer price stabilization should be considered when prices surge."

Regarding stockpiling projects, Seo said, "Farmers grew soybeans instead of rice in line with the government's encouragement of strategic crop production, but the government's 'stockpiling support' budget was set lower than the target, resulting in more than 100 billion won in outstanding payments, which had to be covered by the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation's budget. Since the cooperative's budget ultimately belongs to its members, namely the farmers, next year's project budget should include and reflect these outstanding payments."

On the "Climate Change Status Survey" project, which investigates vulnerabilities caused by climate change, Seo pointed out, "The survey is conducted by different agencies such as the Korea Rural Community Corporation, Rural Development Administration, and Korea Forest Service, leading to a lack of coordination and overlapping survey areas." He suggested, "A joint survey system should be established to enhance the ability to respond to natural disasters and strengthen food security."

Regarding the recent drought situation in Gangneung, Seo remarked, "Although the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs is promoting the 'Water Resource Development for Drought-Prone Areas' project, the water level at the main source, Obong Reservoir, remains significantly low, causing ongoing difficulties in supplying drinking water to citizens. The Ministry should listen carefully to the voices of citizens and promptly devise necessary support measures to respond swiftly."

Meanwhile, regarding the recently announced 123 national policy tasks of the Government of Sovereign Power, Seo commented, "It is fortunate that the opinions presented by the Democratic Party's Agriculture and Fisheries Committee during the presidential election period have been reflected." He added, "Since the government has set a policy goal of introducing a national responsibility system for natural disasters, the creation of new divisions or bureaus dedicated to climate crisis within the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries should also be considered."