Gov't, ruling party agree to lenient approach for minor violations in farmland survey

Seoul, September 21 - The government and the ruling Democratic Party have reached an agreement to adopt a lenient approach towards minor violations discovered during the ongoing national farmland survey, while maintaining a firm stance against clear instances of land speculation. The nationwide survey, initiated earlier this year, aims to ascertain actual ownership of farmland and prevent it from being utilized as a speculative asset.

However, the initiative has been met with criticism from the main opposition People Power Party, which has expressed concerns that the survey has induced anxiety among farmers and potentially infringed on their property rights. Agriculture Minister Song Mi-ryung stated that if the speculation is evident, corrective action will be taken in accordance with the law and principles.

For minor or routine violations identified in the field, the government will offer guidance or implement alternative measures, such as enhancing the system. The minister emphasized that the government's focus will be on restoring the intended purpose of farmland rather than swiftly punishing violations. Rep. Yoon Joon-byeong, who participated in the meeting, affirmed that the survey seeks to standardize the use of farmland and pledged to strive for the enactment of a specialized law to support these efforts by the end of the year.