Farmers from Gwangju and South Jeolla Province are demanding the government stabilize rice prices in demonstrations that have been expanding across the entire region.

The regional chapter of the Korean Peasants League waged a protest Thursday outside the South Jeolla Provincial government, piling up 30,000 straw bags of rice.

In a statement released the same day, the league criticized the government for "buying rice at prices that are significantly lower than production costs at a time when the increase of imported rice and the decrease in domestic consumption, compounded by a suspension of aid to North Korea, have caused a rice prices to plummet in recent months." It called on the government and the ruling Grand National Party to stop "neglecting the plight of our farmers," and demanded that the buying price be set at 210,000 won.

They also demanded a legislation obligating the government to continue sending rice to North Korea as aid. Other organizations waging similar protests in the area include the local chapter of the Korean Advanced Farmers' Federation and the Farmers' Association for the counties of Jangheung and Hwasun.

Piles of bags containing rice have also appeared in demonstrations held in the counties of Gangjin, Yeongam and Hampeoyng.

jhdo@koreatimes.co.kr