FAS/Seoul Monitoring of Media Reporting on Agricultural Issues 

Today's Date: Friday,  June 27,  2025

For Coverage:  June  20  ~  27,  2025

“This area was free of fire blight” ... A look inside the buried orchard in Cheongju, Chungbuk  
https://www.nongmin.com/article/20250625500599
A fire blight outbreak occurred for the first time in Cheongju, Chungbuk, shocking the local community, which had previously been considered a disease-free zone.  The infected orchard, a small apple farm, was quickly buried and quarantined, and emergency inspections of nearby orchards found no additional cases.  Authorities suspect the bacteria had been dormant for years and are conducting epidemiological investigations, while local farmers express frustration that a single poorly managed part-time farm led to widespread disruption.

National Assembly Agriculture Committee approves ₩405 billion increase in supplementary agricultural budget  
https://www.nongmin.com/article/20250626500333
On June 26, the National Assembly’s Agriculture, Food, Rural Affairs, Oceans and Fisheries Committee approved a ₩405 billion (approx. $290 million) increase in the Ministry of Agriculture’s budget as part of the second supplementary budget for 2025.  This brings the total agricultural budget under the revised plan to around ₩590 billion, with added support for rising electricity costs for farms, fuel subsidies, and funding for young farmers.  The committee also increased the Korea Forest Service budget by ₩223 billion to support wildfire recovery, including logging of damaged trees and leasing overseas firefighting helicopters.

Government considering strengthening incentives for cultivating crops other than rice  
https://www.hankyung.com/article/2025062472371
The government is considering expanding direct payments for rice cultivation alongside revising the Grain Management Act to compulsorily buy surplus rice.  After concerns arose within the ruling party over Minister Song Mi-ryeong’s retention, the presidential office acted quickly to calm tensions.  A ministry official said on the 24th that they are reviewing ways to strengthen incentives for cultivating alternative crops to reduce rice farming, with expanding direct payments for strategic crops being the most practical option.

The 'Korean Beef Act' to support Hanwoo farmers passed by National Assembly's Agriculture, Food, Rural Affairs, Oceans and Fisheries Committee   
https://www.nongmin.com/article/20250623500732  
The so-called "Hanwoo Act" was passed by the National Assembly’s Agriculture, Food, Rural Affairs, Oceans and Fisheries Committee on the 23rd.  This comes about a year after former President Yoon Suk Yeol exercised his veto power on the bill in May of last year.  At a full committee meeting that day, the committee approved the enactment of the "Act on the Transition and Support of the Hanwoo Industry in Response to Carbon Neutrality," commonly referred to as the "Hanwoo Act." 

Song Mi-Ryung, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, remained in office 
http://www.foodnews.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=113800 
According to the Presidential Office, President Lee Jae-Myung appointed 11 ministers on the 23^rd, and Song Mi-Ryung, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, retained her position. 
 
Newly appointed Vice Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Kang Hyung-Seok forms task force to redesign agricultural administration for agricultural and rural transformation 
http://www.foodnews.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=113791 
Korean President Lee Jae-Myung appointed Kang Hyung-Seok as the first Vice Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.  In his inaugural address on the 23^rd, Vice Minister Kang said, “In order for the agricultural food industry, which is currently facing a comprehensive crisis, to be reborn as a national strategic industry, we must create a creative and sustainable agricultural food ecosystem based on a solid production structure, including the rural communities that form its foundation, with the cooperation of all relevant stakeholders.”  “We will establish a task force to redesign agricultural administration for agricultural and rural transformation and prepare innovative and practical policies by complementing existing policies,” Kang added. 

E-9 foreign worker arrivals down 21% this year amid economic slowdown 
https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/southkorea/society/20250622/e-9-foreign-worker-arrivals-down-21-this-year-amid-economic-slowdown 
The number of foreign workers entering Korea on E-9 visas has dropped by over 20% compared to the same period last year, with only 21.9% of the annual quota filled so far.  The decline is most notable in manufacturing, fisheries, and construction, while agriculture and services saw modest increases.  Officials attribute the drop to reduced demand due to the economic downturn. 

MAFRA to provide government grants to ‘mung bean’ farmers whose income has fallen due to FTA implementation 
https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20250620126100030?section=industry/agriculture
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) announced on June 22^nd that it has finally selected mung beans as the item eligible for government grants to compensate farmers for income losses due to price declines caused by increased agricultural product imports as a result of FTA implementation.  This year, government grants will only be provided for mung beans among the 110 items.

Hypermarkets will not raise egg prices 
https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20250620125300030?section=industry/agriculture
Last month, the average consumer price for eggs reached 7,026 won per tray (30 eggs), the highest in four years.  Despite a 10-20% increase in egg supply prices compared to last year, hypermarkets such as Homeplus, E-Mart, and Lotte Mart are maintaining consumer prices below 8,000 won by reducing their profits to stabilize prices.  The agriculture ministry expects prices to gradually stabilize due to a slowdown in egg consumption during the summer holiday season and an extension of the laying period for laying hens.  Hypermarkets plan to control price increases by offering a wider range of products, such as animal welfare eggs, in addition to selling mainly 30-egg trays.

Coupang Rocket Fresh to supply 80 tons of stored apples, easing apple price burden 
https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20250622016700030?section=economy/all

Coupang Rocket Fresh announced it will supply 80 tons of cold-stored apples harvested last fall to help ease the burden of rising apple prices, which have jumped about 35% compared to the average, according to aT.  From June 23–24, Coupang Wow members can purchase the apples at up to 30% off with free delivery, and an additional 6 tons of "imperfect" apples will also be sold.

To foster growth in agriculture and rural areas… Lay the foundation for smart farming and specialize producers 
https://www.nongmin.com/article/20250618500638
With the launch of the Lee Jae-myung administration, experts are calling for a shift to tech-based farming using AI and management innovation led by agricultural corporations and professional operators to drive growth in agriculture and rural areas.  On June 18, the Korea Association of Agricultural and Food Policy held the 2025 4th Agri-Food Policy Forum at the aT Center in Seoul to discuss the new administration’s agricultural policy direction.  Hwang Eui-sik, Director at the GS&J Institute, gave a presentation on the topic.