Regarding concerns that joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), currently pursued by the government, could deal a blow to the domestic agriculture, livestock, and fisheries industries, President Lee Jae-myung said, "I know better than anyone the importance of agriculture, fisheries, livestock, and forestry as strategic security industries," adding, "Please do not worry too much."

President Lee stated this on his social media on Tuesday (September 29), noting, "Much like when the late President Roh Moo-hyun pursued the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (FTA), there is strong backlash in sectors where damage is feared, such as agriculture."

He added, "While FTAs are inevitable to expand export markets, conflicts over profits and losses are also inevitable," explaining, "This conflict can be resolved through coordination—namely, by having those who benefit pool their resources to support those who suffer losses. For example, compensation for damages could be made by imposing a certain percentage levy on the increase in exports resulting from FTAs."

He continued, "Until now, whenever an FTA was signed, exporters and manufacturers of export goods benefited, but farmers and fishers were not adequately compensated. Even the 1 trillion won fund agreed upon when the FTA was concluded was left to 'voluntary contributions,' resulting in less than 300 billion won being raised to date."

President Lee added, "To restore trust, our government has decided to first fill the unraised 1 trillion won fund using government finances and has instructed that public opinion regarding the CPTPP be thoroughly gathered," stating, "I think I will need to meet directly with the affected agriculture, fisheries, and livestock industries."

(Photo courtesy of the Cheong Wa Dae Press Corps, captured from President Lee Jae-myung's X, Yonhap News)