Cheonan strengthens on-site guidance on national farmland survey to curb farmer confusion
In short
Cheonan City said on Oct 6 that it will greatly strengthen on-site guidance about the government's follow-up measures for the nationwide farmland full survey, to keep inaccurate information and rumours from causing unnecessary anxiety among farmers. The city said it will clearly explain which violations count as speculative and which get a chance at voluntary correction, including inherited farmland and fallowing by elderly farmers. Mayor Jang Gi-su asked farmers not to worry about incorrect information and to cooperate with the on-site survey.
Read the full story 1 min read
Cheonan City said on Oct 6 that it will greatly strengthen on-site guidance about the direction of the government's follow-up measures for the nationwide farmland full survey, in order to prevent anxiety and confusion in the agricultural sector. The city said it will use its township and neighbourhood administrative network to inform farmers quickly and accurately of government standards, so that they do not suffer unnecessary anxiety from incorrect information or rumours. Newsis also reported that Cheonan City strengthened on-site guidance on the farmland full survey, saying it would block confusion among farm households. [ 1 , 2 ]
The survey, led by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, examines the ownership and use of farmland nationwide in order to identify speculative ownership and improve the system to fit reality, according to the city. After a basic survey, investigators have been conducting on-site in-depth surveys since August, the city said. [ 1 ]
In its on-site guidance, the city said it will clearly convey the government's standards for distinguishing speculative acts from customary farming practices. It listed as speculative: false acquisition inside land transaction permit zones followed by unauthorised fallowing or illegal leasing; agricultural corporations running real estate businesses; and major illegal conversion within agricultural promotion areas. Those, it said, will be strictly handled under the Farmland Act. [ 1 ]
For violations unrelated to speculation — inherited farmland, fallowing by elderly farmers and customary leases between farmers — the city said it will first give a chance for voluntary correction and pursue normalisation measures in parallel, including deferring disposal through entrustment to the Farmland Bank. Mayor Jang Gi-su said, “We will guide thoroughly so that well-intentioned farmers do not suffer disadvantages,” and asked farmers not to be anxious about incorrect information and to cooperate actively with the on-site survey. [ 1 ]
Why it matters
The survey covers farmland ownership and use nationwide and is meant to separate speculative ownership from ordinary farming, so how it is enforced affects farmers' land and livelihoods. Cheonan's emphasis on distinguishing speculation from customary practice, and on voluntary correction first, signals that local authorities are trying to keep the national campaign from being read as a blanket crackdown. The documents give no figures on how many farms or how much land is involved in Cheonan.
Key facts
- Cheonan City announced on Oct 6 that it will greatly strengthen on-site guidance on the government's follow-up measures for the nationwide farmland full survey, to prevent anxiety and confusion in the agricultural sector. [ 1 ]
- The survey is led by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and examines the ownership and use of farmland nationwide in order to identify speculative ownership and improve the system. [ 1 ]
- After a basic survey, investigators have been conducting on-site in-depth surveys since August, according to the city. [ 1 ]
- The city listed as speculative acts to be strictly handled under the Farmland Act: false acquisition inside land transaction permit zones followed by unauthorised fallowing or illegal leasing, agricultural corporations running real estate businesses, and major illegal conversion within agricultural promotion areas. [ 1 ]
- For violations unrelated to speculation — inherited farmland, fallowing by elderly farmers and customary leases between farmers — the city said it will first give a chance for voluntary correction and pursue normalisation measures, including deferring disposal through entrustment to the Farmland Bank. [ 1 ]
- The city plans to use its township and neighbourhood administrative network to inform farmers of government standards quickly and accurately. [ 1 ]
- Mayor Jang Gi-su said well-intentioned farmers should not suffer disadvantages and asked farmers to cooperate actively with the on-site survey. [ 1 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- How many farms or how much farmland the survey covers in Cheonan, and when it will be completed. The documents give no figures and no completion date, saying only that on-site in-depth surveys have run since August.
- What specific follow-up measures the central government will take after the survey. The city says it will explain the government's follow-up direction but does not set out those measures.
- Whether any speculative farmland use has been found in Cheonan. No survey results for the city are reported.