What did the government and the Democratic Party agree to do about minor violations in the farmland survey?

They agreed to respond leniently to minor or routine violations found in the field. Song Mi-ryung said the government would use guidance or alternative measures, while still taking corrective action when speculation is clearly intended.

Why is South Korea conducting a nationwide farmland survey?

The survey was launched earlier this year to determine actual ownership of farmland and stop it from being used as a speculative asset. The government says it is trying to restore the intended purpose of farmland rather than act immediately on every violation.

What criticism has the farmland survey faced from the People Power Party?

The main opposition People Power Party says the survey has made farmers anxious and may infringe on property rights. That criticism appears alongside the government’s push to tighten enforcement against clear speculation.

Gov't, ruling party agree to lenient approach for minor violations in farmland survey

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Summary

The government and the ruling Democratic Party of Korea agreed Monday to handle minor violations found in an ongoing national farmland survey leniently while cracking down on clear land speculation. Agriculture Minister Song Mi-ryung said the government will use corrective action for clear speculative intent and guidance or other measures for minor violations. Rep. Yoon Joon-byeong said the survey aims to normalize farmland use and that the party will seek a special law by the end of the year.

Key Facts

The nationwide farmland survey began earlier this year to determine actual ownership of farmland and prevent it from being used as a speculative asset.
The main opposition People Power Party criticized the survey, saying it has caused anxiety among farmers and could infringe on property rights.
Song Mi-ryung said the government will take corrective action under the law and principles when the purpose of speculation is clear.
For minor or routine violations identified in the field, the government will provide guidance or take alternative measures, including system improvements.
Rep. Yoon Joon-byeong said the survey is aimed at normalizing farmland use and pledged efforts to enact a special law by the end of the year.

By Yonhap

Published Sep 21, 2026 10:39 am KST

Agriculture Minister Song Mi-ryung, second from right, speaks during a policy meeting with ruling Democratic Party of Korea officials at the National Assembly in Seoul, Monday. Yonhap

The government and the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) agreed Monday to take a lenient approach to minor violations identified in an ongoing national farmland survey while cracking down on clear acts of land speculation.

The country launched the comprehensive nationwide survey earlier this year in an effort to determine actual ownership of farmland and prevent it from being used as a speculative asset.

The move, however, has faced criticism from the main opposition People Power Party, which has argued the survey has caused anxiety among farmers and could infringe on their property rights.

"If the purpose of speculation is clear, (we) will take corrective action under the law and principles," Agriculture Minister Song Mi-ryung said in a policy meeting with DPK officials.

"For minor or routine violations identified in the field, (we) will provide guidance or take alternative measures, such as making improvements to the system."

The minister said the government would focus on ways to restore the intended purpose of farmland rather than immediately taking action against violations.

Rep. Yoon Joon-byeong, who also attended the meeting, said the survey is aimed at "normalizing" the use of farmland and pledged to make efforts to enact a special law to help such efforts by the end of the year.

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