Minister Song Mi-ryung, who was retained in the Lee Jae-myung government, effectively formalized a policy shift regarding the Grain Management Act that was vetoed during the Yoon Suk-yeol administration, stating, "The conditions are now in place to proceed."
On the 30th, Minister Song attended a comprehensive policy inquiry by the Special Committee on Budget & Accounts and said, "Because our government shares the intention regarding prior supply adjustment, we now have the conditions to implement the Grain Management Act."
When Jeon Jong-deok, a member of the Progressive Party, asked, "Doesn't this mean that you will continue the policies of the Yoon Suk-yeol administration?" Minister Song replied, "It is fundamentally different," noting, "Because our government shares the intention regarding prior supply adjustment, we now have the conditions to implement the Grain Management Act."
Minister Song added, "This time, the key change in content is to ensure there is no surplus rice by implementing measures in advance," stating, "This will actually enhance food security."
Regarding the Grain Act, which passed the National Assembly during the Yoon Suk-yeol administration, Minister Song said, "In the case of the 'Four Agriculture Laws' from the previous administration, especially focusing on the Grain Act, the main content was to purchase surplus rice after the fact."
Minister Song mentioned, "If the government claims it will buy all surplus rice without sufficient budget investment, it would not only be a financial waste but also leave farmers with no alternatives but to produce rice, which would then lead to surplus and falling prices."
Minister Song further elaborated, "How can the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs support a law that would cause rice prices to drop and significantly increase the national financial burden?" maintaining a position against it.
Minister Song, who was appointed as the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs during the Yoon Suk-yeol administration, was an advocate for the veto of the Grain Act at that time. However, being retained in the Lee Jae-myung administration, she has now shifted her position to favor the bill, premised on 'prior supply adjustment.'