[New Year's Address] Song Miryung: "Basic Income for Rural and Fishing Communities Is an Alternative to the 'Crisis of Rural Extinction'... Will Develop an Innovative Policy Model"

"This Year Marks the First Year of an 'Agricultural Policy Transformation'"
Pursuing Higher Food Self-Sufficiency Targets Through Enactment of the Food Security Act
Aiming for $21 Billion in K-Food Exports by 2030

Song Miryung, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, stated on January 1, "We will use the basic income for rural and fishing communities as a priming pump to drive a virtuous cycle in the local economy, conduct rigorous empirical research, and develop it into an evidence-based, innovative policy model."

In her New Year's address that day, Minister Song said, "The basic income for rural and fishing communities, which is an alternative to the crisis of rural extinction, will launch a pilot project this year targeting 10 counties."

Song Miryung, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. (File photo)

The pilot project for basic income in rural and fishing communities, which was promoted as one of President Lee Jaemyung's key pledges, will provide 150,000 won per month in local gift certificates to residents of areas at risk of population extinction for two years starting this year. The project targets residents of 10 counties designated as depopulation areas: Yeoncheon in Gyeonggi Province, Jeongseon in Gangwon Province, Okcheon in North Chungcheong Province, Cheongyang in South Chungcheong Province, Sunchang and Jangsu in North Jeolla Province, Sinan and Gokseong in South Jeolla Province, Yeongyang in North Gyeongsang Province, and Namhae in South Gyeongsang Province.

She emphasized her intention to make this year the first year of an "agricultural policy transformation" that will be tangibly felt in the field. Minister Song stated, "Agriculture and rural communities are facing structural changes such as the climate crisis and population decline. At the same time, we are also encountering new opportunities, including innovation in artificial intelligence (AI), the global K-Food trend, and growing social interest in the agricultural industry and rural areas. In line with these circumstances, we are at a critical turning point where we must boldly shift the direction of agricultural policy to properly establish agriculture’s essential role, such as food security, and transform rural areas into hubs for balanced national development."

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs will focus on achieving results in five key areas: fostering agriculture as a national strategic industry to safeguard the nation's food supply; expanding the global reach of K-Food Plus(+) and promoting the digital transformation of agriculture and rural areas; advancing a major shift in agricultural policy with strengthened government responsibility and nurturing young agricultural talent; developing rural areas as places to live, work, and relax that contribute to balanced national growth; and building a society where people and animals coexist happily.

Minister Song said, "We will raise the target for food self-sufficiency and establish a 'Food Security Act' to systematically allocate resources such as farmland and budgets required for this goal. We will also expand the cultivation of strategic crops beyond rice, pursue higher quality to meet consumer demand, and introduce a comprehensive labeling system for genetically modified foods (GMOs) to substantially increase the self-sufficiency rate."

To ensure food stability for all citizens, the ministry will significantly expand customized food support for different groups and focus efforts on addressing gaps in food welfare for vulnerable populations. Minister Song explained, "This year, we will provide fruit snacks once a week to students at Neulbom Schools and supply eco-friendly agricultural product packages to 160,000 pregnant women. Based on the positive feedback from university students, the '1,000-won breakfast' program will be expanded to support breakfast and lunch for office workers as well."

The ministry will also actively promote the global expansion of K-Food and related industries, as well as the digital transformation of agriculture and rural areas. The goal is to establish K-Food as a leading global food brand and increase K-Food exports to 21 billion dollars by 2030. Minister Song said, "A joint public-private K-Food Export Task Force will identify strategic items and proactively plan overseas expansion, while the government will provide tailored support. In addition to K-Food, we will secure future export growth engines such as food tech, and actively foster smart factories and export-specialized complexes to enhance the competitiveness of export companies."

Minister Song also stated that AI and smart agriculture technologies, which are solutions to challenges facing agriculture and rural communities such as the climate crisis, labor shortages, and declining productivity, will be further promoted with a focus on increasing utilization. To this end, the ministry will support the rapid market launch of products that integrate AI into agriculture and rural sectors, and distribute smart agriculture technology packages to major open-field crop production areas so that all farms can benefit from these advancements.

The ministry also plans to accelerate fundamental reforms of the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation (Nonghyup). Minister Song said, "There have been many criticisms regarding Nonghyup's inadequate control mechanisms and inefficient structure, and a rigorous special audit was conducted at the end of last year. The National Agricultural Cooperative Federation will enhance management transparency in areas such as support for cooperatives and personnel management, while individual cooperatives will strengthen internal and external democratic controls. Based on the audit results, we will identify additional areas for institutional improvement and pursue necessary legislative measures."

Finally, she said, "Now, we must answer the question of how to make agriculture and rural communities sustainable in an era of deepening crisis through our actions and results. I am confident that if we all work together this year, we can achieve meaningful changes for the future."