Lee calls for revamp of vegetable distribution

By Na Jeong-ju

President Lee Myung-bak has expressed concerns over the extreme rise in the price of vegetables, Monday, saying the country needs to reform the distribution system of agricultural and fisheries products for the benefit of producers as well as consumers.

The proposal came amid media reports that the recent price hikes of vegetables are partly attributable to unfair business practices by some wholesalers and distributors.

“We should check and improve the distribution system to ensure fair transactions,” Lee said in a biweekly address broadcast through KBS1 Radio, TBS Radio and Google’s popular online video site YouTube.

“Although farmers sell their products at low prices, consumers often purchase them at far higher prices because of a monopoly, oligopoly, or cartel by some merchants. We must block such unfair practices.”

The country has been struggling to fight hikes in the prices of vegetables, grains and other basic commodities.

In response to the rising price for napa cabbage, the main ingredient of kimchi, the government temporarily slashed tariffs on Chinese cabbage and radish imports to stabilize the market.

“The government will swiftly adjust the supply and demand of major daily necessities in accordance with price changes,” said the President.

A Cheong Wa Dae spokesman said Lee instructed the administration to closely monitor the prices of commodities and take appropriate measures to curb inflation.

Last week, Lee called for the need to intervene in the market to adjust the prices if they are higher than international ones.

It was his 50th biweekly radio address. He began the pre-recorded speech two years ago during the global financial crisis to directly explain the government’s economic and social policies to the people.

It is similar to the “Fireside Chats” of the 1930’s, radio speeches given by the then U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt to American citizens during the Great Depression to seek public support for his economic recovery programs, according to presidential aides.

The topic of the 50 radio addresses by the President so far have ranged from family matters to political, economic, social and international issues although Cheong Wa Dae noted that economic issues have topped the agenda in the radio speeches overall.