South Korean Agriculture Minister seeks Farmland Act reform after investigation flags 300,000 hectares

South Korean Agriculture Minister Song Mi-ryung has addressed concerns regarding a nationwide investigation into farmland, noting that approximately 300,000 hectares (about 27% of the surveyed land) have been flagged for suspected violations of the Farmland Act.

Minister Song clarified that these findings represent suspected cases of unauthorized fallow land or illegal leasing rather than confirmed violations, and that actual dispositions will not be possible until next year. She emphasized that the investigation should serve as an opportunity to modernize the 30-year-old Farmland Act, which she stated does not reflect current agricultural realities.

The government intends to distinguish between speculative land hoarding and minor, customary violations occurring in actual farming operations. For the latter, the ministry plans to implement retroactive approval processes and exemptions from farmland preservation charges for facilities like agricultural warehouses or rural experience centers.

To support farmers, the ministry will utilize the Farmland Bank and the ‘Nongji Georae Ieum’ system to assist with land transactions and prevent forced sales.