Minister Song Mi-ryung Discusses New Rice Management Law at National Assembly

On June 30, 2025, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Song Mi-ryung stated that the current government is aligned on the need for proactive supply management, making it feasible to implement the Rice Management Act. During a comprehensive policy inquiry at the National Assembly's Budget and Settlement Special Committee, when asked by Jeon Jong-deok, a member of the Justice Party, if this meant continuing the policies of the previous Yoon Suk-yeol administration, Minister Song responded that the approach is fundamentally different.

She emphasized that the key change is to prevent any surplus rice from being produced in the first place, which she believes will enhance food security. Minister Song pointed out that the previous government's 'Four Agricultural Laws,' particularly the Rice Management Act, primarily focused on purchasing surplus rice after it was produced.

She argued that without sufficient budgetary support, the government's commitment to buy all surplus rice would not only waste public funds but also leave farmers with no alternatives, leading to excess production and falling prices. 'As Minister of Agriculture, I cannot support a law that would lower rice prices and significantly increase the financial burden on the state,' she added.

Appointed by former President Yoon Suk-yeol, Minister Song previously referred to the Rice Management Act as the 'Agricultural Mismanagement Act' and suggested exercising veto power against it. However, after being retained in the Lee Jae-myung administration, she expressed her support for the law, contingent on proactive supply management.

On June 25, during a meeting of the National Assembly's Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs Committee, she clarified her previous comments about the 'Agricultural Mismanagement Act,' stating that they were intended to highlight potential adverse effects and apologized for the harshness of her words.