PM pledges to create better environment for farmers

Prime Minister Han Seong-sook pledged on Wednesday to create a more favorable environment for farmers, announcing the government has allocated the largest-ever budget for farming the following year. At a Farmers' Day ceremony, she revealed the government will provide more than 3 trillion won ($2.2 billion) in subsidies, known as public interest direct payment, surpassing the 3 trillion-won threshold for the first time.

Additionally, the government has tripled the budget for rural basic income from around 300 billion won to over 1.1 trillion won for next year, and will continue to increase it in the future. The government is also planning to introduce retirement pension for farmers, Han stated. President Moon Jae-in had previously emphasized that agriculture is a national security industry and a strategic industry vital to the Republic of Korea's survival.

Prime Minister Han emphasized the importance of creating an environment where farmers can work without worry, as it is crucial for ensuring agricultural security. The government plans to invest 1.3 trillion won in these initiatives.