The government said on the 11th it will overhaul the food security system, signaling the enactment of a food security law next year. The government also formalized reform of NongHyup. The main direction is improving governance and strengthening oversight.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs set the food self-sufficiency target at 55.5% or higher by 2030 in its policy briefing to the president the same day. To that end, it will expand support for crop switching. It will also introduce a new "rice for supply-demand control" to prepare for when rice production grows more than needed. This rice will be used for processing in normal times and shifted to table rice when there is a shortage.
Building on the 1,000-won breakfast program for college students, the government will support one breakfast or lunch for office workers as well. It will also restart fruit snack programs for elementary school students and eco-friendly care packages for pregnant women. The food voucher program will expand its coverage from vulnerable groups to include young adults.
Distribution reform will proceed in parallel. The government plans to grow the agricultural products online wholesale market transaction volume to 1.5 trillion won next year. To do this, it will create a dedicated logistics network and increase the number of production-area distribution centers. To help consumers compare prices easily, it will also pilot an "agricultural products savings information app" in some regions next year.
The government will also launch reform of NongHyup. The goal is to rebuild NongHyup as a member-centered organization. The government will make the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation's fund and personnel management more transparent and strengthen internal controls, including the governance of local cooperatives and the terms of cooperative heads. It will also fill institutional gaps in oversight of NongHyup. The agriculture ministry is currently conducting a special audit of the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation.
Support for young farmers will prioritize quality over quantity. The government will select prospective young farmers and provide education and mentoring. It will secure more farmland to lease to young people. It will also increase support to spread joint-farming models nationwide.
The government also unveiled policies to improve rural livelihoods. It will continue the basic income pilot program for farming and fishing communities and accelerate the cleanup of vacant rural homes by codifying the program. It will operate AI-based customized buses in areas with poor transportation access.
It will also revise animal welfare policies. To broaden animal protection systems, the government decided to create a "basic animal welfare act." It is also considering introducing a standard fee schedule to reduce veterinary care costs for companion animals.
Minister Song Mi-ryung said, "It is time to change the structure of agriculture and rural areas," adding, "We will pursue both continuity and innovation in policy."