The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) and the Korea Rural Community Corporation announced on October 11 that they will operate the "Farmland Comprehensive Survey Consultation Center" starting tomorrow (October 12) to address farmers' questions and concerns regarding the comprehensive farmland survey.

MAFRA explained that the consultation center will serve as a channel to guide follow-up measures for the comprehensive farmland survey and explain necessary support plans to prevent any unfair disadvantages during the investigation process.

Key consultation topics include types of farmland speculation that may be subject to disposition and whether specific cases constitute serious illegal conversion.

Examples of speculative activities determined by authorities include falsely acquiring farmland in land transaction permission zones and leaving it neglected or illegally leasing it, acquiring fractional shares of farmland through auctions and leaving it uncultivated or illegally leasing it, and agricultural corporations engaging in real estate businesses using farmland.

The center will also provide guidance on support programs—such as farmland bank lease consignments, public lease farmland purchases, and farmland pensions—for farmers who find it difficult to farm due to old age or other reasons.

Consultations are available via the main hotline (1811-8852), and authorities plan to connect the consultation center with agricultural organizations in the future to listen to difficulties on the ground.

(Photo: Yonhap News)