On the 25th, lawmakers from both the ruling and opposition parties on the Agriculture, Food, Rural Affairs, Oceans, and Fisheries Committee urged Minister Song Mi-ryeong, who was retained in the administration of President Lee Jae-myung, to voluntarily resign, stating, "Her stance has changed 180 degrees like flipping a palm." Minister Song announced, "I will change the four bills, including the amendment to the Grain Management Act, which was opposed in the previous government, to a hope law."
On this day, at the general meeting of the Agriculture, Food, Rural Affairs, Oceans, and Fisheries Committee convened to commence the review of the supplementary budget, criticism poured in from lawmakers across the board towards the retained Minister Song.
People Power Party lawmaker Kim Seon-kyo pointed out, "You say you will actively review (the four agriculture bills) in accordance with the new government's governance philosophy, but where has your conviction gone?"
Earlier, Minister Song opposed four bills, including the amendment to the Grain Law, which features mandatory purchase of surplus rice during her tenure in the Yoon Suk-yeol administration, and the law regarding the introduction of a minimum price guarantee system for agricultural products, which is key to the distribution and price stabilization of agricultural and fishery products, as well as the amendment to the Agricultural and Fishery Disaster Insurance Act that eliminates surcharges in premium rate calculation, and the amendment to the Agricultural and Fishery Disaster Policy Act that includes production cost guarantees, stating they were "four laws that ruin the future of agriculture, the 'four agriculture laws.'"
Lawmaker Kang Myung-gu from the same party criticized, "Changing your stance like flipping a palm is an insult to other public officials who have worked with conviction in the previous administration. If you continue to oppose the four agriculture laws, that might be understandable, but if you try to push them again, it would be appropriate to resign."
Demands for voluntary resignation also came from the ruling coalition. Jeon Jong-deok, a lawmaker from The Progressive Party, raised his voice, saying, "Last year, agricultural income was 9.67 million won, down by less than 10 million won from the previous year. The liability increased to 45 million won, up 6.3%. Income has decreased while debt has increased. The lives of farmers are at a breaking point. This is the result of Minister Song Mi-ryeong's agricultural policies during her term." He further urged Minister Song, stating, "If you have any conscience, apologize to the farmers and voluntarily resign."
Minister Song stated, "I am grateful for the significant responsibility entrusted to me during this serious time, and I feel a very heavy sense of responsibility." She continued, regarding her earlier comment on the 'four agriculture laws,' "From my perspective, my intention was to express the urgency of reconsidering them as they could have adverse effects, and I apologize for my harsh expression."
She added, "The most important thing is flexible pragmatism, accountability in agricultural policy, and providing food for the people," and stated, "In accordance with that governance philosophy, I will proactively review the contentious bills and policies that have been raised so far." She emphasized her commitment to continuous and active communication with agricultural organizations and lawmakers from both parties.
Regarding the four agriculture-related bills, she said, "Even when requesting reconsideration (during the Yoon Suk-yeol administration), I expressed my agreement with the intention of stabilizing farm management. However, supporting legislation requires financial backing and must be sustainable, and there are concerns about overproduction and product concentration. I will strive to come up with better alternatives, so that the future of agriculture can move towards hope. I will make it a hope law."
Democratic Party lawmaker Lee Won-taek, the ruling party's secretary, stated, "Reflection on the experiences of nearly the last year and a half of leading agricultural policies, as well as a review of positions, attitudes, key legislative tasks, and policy challenges is actively needed. It is something that the Minister must completely overcome and resolve," adding, "Through a party-government meeting, we will confirm with the Minister the unwavering intention to pursue the core tasks and legislation that the Democratic Party has worked on over the last three years."