President Lee Jae-myung emphasized his commitment to reforming the distribution structure, stating, "Regarding price management, it seems there are quite a few structural problems in our country's distribution system."

President Lee made these remarks during a Cabinet meeting he presided over at the Blue House, after Koo Yun-cheol, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Economy, reported on the status of emergency state affairs response regarding the Middle East war and measures for managing petroleum product prices.

President Lee pointed out, "Price issues are not caused by one or two specific reasons, but by a combination of many minor problems, to the point where it is said that South Korea has some of the highest prices in the world."

He added, "We are maintaining this level only because we are tenaciously pressuring the Korea Fair Trade Commission regarding collusion and the evils of monopoly and oligopoly; otherwise, the inflation rate would have been much higher," and ordered, "Each ministry, agency, and office should pay more attention."

When Song Mi-ryung, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, mentioned that agricultural prices are currently too low for farmers, President Lee reiterated, "We must fundamentally reform the distribution structure."

He continued, "It is not easy due to resistance, but please pay attention to the reform of the distribution structure as well," and pointed out, "There is too large a gap between market prices and local production prices, and while production prices fluctuate wildly, consumer prices only continue to rise."

President Lee noted, "Are we relying too much on the private sector for distribution lines?" and emphasized, "Agriculture is a strategic and security industry, and it is not an area that can be left solely to the market."

He further stated, "Currently, it is almost entirely left to the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation (Nonghyup), but shouldn't the government spend money on improving the distribution structure or participate in the system?" adding, "If necessary, we should also invest. This is not something that can be left only to the private sector."

When Park Hong-keun, Minister of Planning and Budget, replied that he would consult with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, President Lee added, "Please do so. Find a way," and concluded, "Everyone is feeling unfairly treated. That should not be the case."

(Photo: Yonhap News)