President Lee expresses determination to conduct "comprehensive farmland survey" even during overseas tour

President Lee expresses determination to conduct "comprehensive farmland survey" even during overseas tour

President Lee Jae-myung has reaffirmed his determination to push forward with the government's "comprehensive farmland survey," stating that it is "absolutely necessary to prevent farmland speculation and ensure proper farmland utilization." Regarding the ongoing backlash from rural communities and opposition parties, he emphasized, "Every government has avoided this due to resistance and backlash, but I will not avoid it."
President Lee, who is currently visiting New York, USA, to attend the UN General Assembly, shared a post by Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Song Mi-ryung regarding the farmland survey on X (formerly Twitter) on the 23rd (local time), stating, "The principle of 'land to the tiller' and the government's efforts to protect it are constitutional—in other words, a mandate from the people."
President Lee said, "The law, as determined by the people and the National Assembly, dictates that if someone 'purchases farmland under the pretext of farming' for speculation, only to leave it neglected or lease it illegally while waiting for land prices to rise, that land must be forcibly sold." He added, "If it is a law that cannot be upheld, it ought to be either not made or abolished altogether."
He continued, "I believe I was elected President to change this flawed world where shrewd people who cleverly violate the law make huge sums of money through farmland speculation, while those who follow the law suffer relatively more, and to carry out real real estate reform."
However, regarding concerns raised in rural areas, he attempted to calm the situation by distinguishing between the scope of the investigation and the scope of sanctions. President Lee stated, "Farmland that cannot be farmed due to old age or inherited farmland is not subject to this survey. Please do not misunderstand."
He further claimed, "There are many cases where those engaging in farmland speculation use lies to incite non-targets to join their side, in an attempt to attack the government and me to derail sanctions against their own speculation." He added, "As approval ratings drop, it becomes increasingly difficult to implement reforms. Even if interference increases and backlash grows, we must do what needs to be done. I trust the vast majority of our good citizens."
https://www.sisajournal.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=388298