The government is pushing a plan to conduct the first full-scale survey of all farmland owners nationwide. The goal is to strengthen oversight so farmland does not become a target for speculation.
The government said on the 2nd that it plans to begin the full-scale survey as early as this month.
Although it has examined usage conditions for some farmland each year, this is the first time it will survey all farmland.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs is preparing for a comprehensive full-scale survey regarding the Farmland Act. In particular, it plans to intensively investigate high-risk groups for speculation. It is also reviewing ways to enhance the effectiveness of disposition orders, including ordering quick sales so speculative farmland is disposed of swiftly.
Earlier, President Lee Jae-myung on the 24th of last month said farmland has become a target for speculation and is expensive, and instructed officials to consider a full-scale survey of farmland. Lee said that if necessary, the government should also order the sale of farmland involved in illegal acts.
The Constitution states that "the state shall strive to ensure that the principle of 'land to the tiller' is achieved with respect to farmland." "Land to the tiller" (耕者有田) means that those who farm own the farmland.
The Farmland Act strictly limits the acquisition and ownership of farmland. The Farmland Act provides that "farmland shall be owned and used in a manner that increases agricultural productivity and shall not be a target of speculation." As a rule, one cannot own farmland unless it is used for one's own farming operation.
However, there are exceptions that recognize farmland ownership, such as for inherited farmland or when someone who has run a farming operation for eight years or more no longer farms, as well as for weekend or experiential farming purposes.
Farmland leasing is also prohibited in principle, but there are exceptions, such as allowing a farmer age 60 or older to lease out farmland cultivated for five years or more.
The Farmland Act includes a provision requiring the disposition of farmland not used for farming operations. If an owner illegally leases out farmland or leaves it fallow, it must be disposed of, and if this is not carried out, the head of the local government may order the disposition of the farmland.
Through this full-scale survey, the ministry plans to check farmland ownership, transaction, use, and conversion. It plans to investigate whether farmland owners are engaged in farming operations to uncover unauthorized fallowing or illegal leases. It will focus on farmland within land transaction permit zones and farmland acquired by residents living outside the jurisdiction.