Minister Song Mi-ryung of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs said on the 9th that even if the so-called "sugar levy" on sweetened beverages is pursued, the impact on inflation would not be significant. Regarding the transfer of the Gwacheon racetrack included in the government's dwellings supply plan, she said there had been prior communication with the Korea Racing Authority (KRA) and noted the ministry intends to work out concrete measures through future consultations.
At a regular briefing with the press corps held at the Government Complex Sejong that day, the Minister, when asked about the possibility of introducing a sugar levy, said, "The amendment to the National Health Promotion Act presupposes only the imposition of a levy on sweetened beverages," and added, "Although we have not yet conducted specific scenario-by-scenario analyses, if the scope is limited to sweetened beverages, we expect upward pressure on prices to be limited." She explained that the burden on farms would also not be large.
She also stated her position on the plan for the transfer of the Gwacheon racetrack included in the real estate supply measures recently released by the government. The Minister said, "Throughout the related ministers' meeting process, I have emphasized that the Korea Racing Authority's views must be reflected," and added, "Before official discussions, an informal explanation was already provided to the authority to the effect that preparations are needed."
The government has said it plans to transfer the racetrack in Juam-dong, Gwacheon, and develop it together with the Defense Counterintelligence Command site to supply 9,800 dwellings. This is the second largest in scale after the Yongsan International Business District.
The Minister said, "For now, we are reviewing a transfer within Gyeonggi Province," and added, "We will pursue consultations so as not to lean to one side by comprehensively considering multiple factors, including the sustainability of the horse industry, Korea Racing Authority workers, the local community, and dwellings supply."
She also addressed quarantine issues. On African swine fever (ASF), the Minister said, "An analysis of recent cases shows that some are understood to be of a serotype originating in Nepal," and added, "We are conducting a detailed analysis of the causes, including the possibility of introduction not only via wild boars but also through the movement of people or goods."
On highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI), the Minister said that "a total of 41 cases occurred in the 2025–2026 winter season, but considering the total number of birds raised, the impact on supply and demand is limited."
Meanwhile, regarding reforms of NongHyup amid allegations of misconduct and lax management, she said, "We will finalize reform tasks, including changes to the election system, by the end of this month and release the results of the discussions early next month."