FAS/Seoul Monitoring of Media Reporting on Agricultural Issues 

Today's Date: Thursday,  August  14,  2025

For Coverage:  August 8  ~  14,  2025

Over Half of Farm Owners Exceed Legal Retirement Age of 70
https://www.nongmin.com/article/20250811500640
The Special Act on Improving the Quality of Life of Farmers and Promoting Rural Development legally recognizes farmers’ working age up to 70, but a growing share work well beyond this limit. The rising proportion of elderly farmers—over 50% aged 70 or older—highlights structural labor shortages and insufficient rural retirement security systems. These trends suggest the need for policies addressing rural labor force sustainability, retirement income support, and generational renewal in agriculture.

Government to ‘Loan’ 30,000 Tons of Rice to Stabilize Supply
https://www.donga.com/news/Economy/article/all/20250811/132167416/2
On August 11, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced it will loan 30,000 tons of 2024 stored rice to major distributors by the end of this month, to be repaid with newly harvested rice later this year. This first-time “loan” system aims to stabilize supply and prices ahead of the autumn harvest while ensuring distributors have adequate raw grain stocks.

Trilateral Agriculture Ministers’ Meeting Between Korea, Japan, and China Held for the First Time in 7 Years – Joint Declaration Adopted 
http://www.foodnews.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=114523 
The agriculture ministers of South Korea, Japan, and China held their first trilateral meeting in seven years in Incheon to address key issues like food security, sustainable agriculture, and climate crisis response. They agreed to deepen cooperation through policies on smart farming, carbon-neutral agriculture, and support for young farmers, along with initiatives such as youth exchange programs and joint development of climate-smart technologies. The meeting concluded with a joint declaration and a commitment to institutionalize regular meetings to strengthen collaboration for sustainable agricultural development and improved food security.

Active Agricultural Diplomacy at APEC: Korea Discusses Strengthening Cooperation with the U.S., Canada, Taiwan, and Others
https://www.mafra.go.kr/home/5109/subview.do?enc=Zm5jdDF8QEB8JTJGYmJzJTJGaG9tZSUyRjc5MiUyRjU3NDgzNCUyRmFydGNsVmlldy5kbyUzRg%3D%3D
At the APEC Food Security Ministerial Meeting in Incheon, MAFRA leaders met with Michelle Bekkering, U.S. Deputy Under Secretary of Agriculture, to discuss expanding bilateral agricultural cooperation. Korea sought U.S. support to boost exports of Korean agricultural and livestock products, and both sides committed to strengthening ties through information sharing and policy collaboration.

High Costs, Sluggish Demand… Hanwoo’s Ongoing Struggles
https://www.nongmin.com/article/20250808500717
The enactment of the “Hanwoo Act” has given the industry a framework for long-term growth, while recent Korea-U.S. tariff talks spared additional market openings for beef and rice despite lingering concerns over unpredictable U.S. trade moves. Still, high production costs, extreme weather, and inflation-driven demand risks weigh heavily on producers, prompting large-scale discount campaigns to boost consumption.

Gov’t Considering Cuts to ‘Paddy Soybean’ Acreage After Earlier Push to Expand
https://www.nongmin.com/article/20250808500693
The government is weighing cuts to “paddy soybean” cultivation after a rapid production increase outpaced demand, creating record stockpiles, despite having encouraged farmers to grow the crop in place of rice. Farmer groups denounce the sudden reversal as a breach of trust and a failure to develop markets for alternative crops, warning that similar oversupply issues could hit other strategic crops.

Will U.S. Apple and Potato Imports Inevitably Harm Domestic Farmers? A Fact Check
https://www.joongang.co.kr/article/25357917
Importing U.S. apples and potatoes doesn’t automatically harm Korean farmers, as domestic produce often has superior price and quality, though many farmers remain worried about future competition. Despite government assurances that quarantine procedures won’t be eased, concerns persist that imports could change the competitive landscape. Officials emphasize the need to use ongoing trade pressures as a chance to strengthen domestic agriculture by improving productivity and diversifying crop varieties.

Agriculture Minister Song Mi-ryung: “Global Agriculture Community Concerned About Climate Change… Responding with Technology” 
https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20250810022300030?section=industry/agriculture 
Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Song Mi-ryung stated at the APEC Food Security Ministers’ Meeting in Incheon that member countries recognize climate change as a critical challenge and have identified technology as the solution. At the meeting, all 21 member economies unanimously adopted a 13-point joint declaration, which includes measures to accelerate agri-food innovation and strengthen food security. Minister Song assessed that this outcome could help expand overseas exports of K-food, agricultural machinery, and materials, noting that representatives from various countries showed strong interest in Korean cuisine and traditional liquor. Meanwhile, the Korea-China-Japan Agriculture Ministers’ Meeting will be held to discuss agricultural digital strategies and measures to combat livestock diseases.