Meeting Held Under the Theme "Opportunities and Hope for Youth, Unfolding in K-Agriculture!"
"I Will Support Young People to Grow as Key Players in K-Agriculture"
On September 16, President Lee Jaemyung held a meeting at a farm in Sejong City under the theme "Opportunities and Hope for Youth, Unfolding in K-Agriculture!" According to Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Ahn Gwiryung in a written briefing, President Lee met with young farmers and pledged to spare no effort in providing investment and support.
Before the meeting, President Lee toured a peach orchard guided by the farm's owner and participated in pruning work that was underway after the peach harvest. When the farm owner explained that pruning is essential for a bountiful harvest next year, President Lee responded, "Just as we prepare in advance for next year's harvest, I will spare no investment and support for young farmers to ensure a bright future for our agriculture and rural communities."
Eight young farmers who cultivate a variety of crops such as vegetables, fruits, and flowers attended the meeting. President Lee inquired about the prices of crops like chili peppers and apple watermelons, and continued the conversation while sharing drinks made from green tangerines grown by one of the young farmers. A young flower grower expressed determination, saying, "Rural areas must once again become vibrant spaces, and I will lead the way for our agriculture." A young beekeeper added, "I still find bees incredibly beautiful," but also acknowledged that there are real challenges and limitations for young people trying to settle in rural areas.
The young farmers at the meeting proposed concrete policy measures to achieve tangible results, including allowing the installation of restrooms on farmland to improve living conditions, providing settlement support funds, farmland leasing, strengthening the criteria for farmers, nurturing future generations of farmers, and supporting research and development. In response, President Lee stated, "Agriculture and rural communities are not symbols of decline, but of new hope," and emphasized, "Government policy must also move toward increasing investment and support for agriculture and rural areas."
President Lee further pledged, "Regardless of field or region, it is the role of the government of the people to ensure that young people have opportunities. I will support young farmers so that they can overcome difficulties and grow to become key players in K-Agriculture."
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