Jeonbuk Provincial Assemblyman Lim Seung-sik: “Forced reduction of rice cultivation area must be withdrawn immediately”

The government plans to reduce rice cultivation by 80,000 hectares to balance supply and demand, prompting criticism for potentially infringing on farmers' rights and threatening food security. Jeonbuk Province must convert 15.2% of its rice fields to other uses, with penalties for non-compliance, such as reduced public reserve rice allocation. Critics, including Jeonbuk Provincial Council member Lim Seung-sik, argue that the policy is short-sighted and could undermine food security amid growing concerns over global food self-sufficiency due to climate change. Lim advocates for a more cautious approach that emphasizes domestic food security and self-sufficiency.

Government decides to reduce cultivation area by 8ha Unilaterally notifies local governments of distribution area Jeonbuk Province must reduce 15.2% of total “Cautious approach considering food security” It has been argued that the government’s mandatory adjustment of rice cultivation area, which infringes on farmers’ farming rights, should be immediately withdrawn. Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Provincial Council member Lim Seung-sik (Jeongeup 1, Democratic Party of Korea) claimed, “The government’s short-sighted and unilateral adjustment of rice cultivation area should be stopped immediately.” According to member Lim, the government decided to reduce rice cultivation area by 80,000ha starting this year to adjust rice supply and demand, and unilaterally notified each provincial government of the distribution area based on rice production volume. According to the government policy, Jeonbuk Autonomous Province should convert 12,163 hectares, which is 15.2% of the total rice ...