Politics · South Korea · 47 mins ago
South Korea opposition criticizes president over nationwide farmland survey
South Korea’s People Power Party criticized President Lee Jae-myung after he said Agriculture Minister Song Mi-ryeong had proposed a nationwide farmland survey.
The survey concerns farmland across the country, and the opposition says Lee had earlier called for checks and possible sale orders for land not being farmed.
Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok said farmland trading had stalled and prices had fallen, and called for an apology.
Other party members accused Lee of shifting blame to the minister as the policy drew public anger and scrutiny.
They said the president should explain the survey’s legal basis and offer specific answers to farmers’ concerns.
The party also criticized Lee over his separate comment that talks on joining the CPTPP trade agreement may not be completed during his term.
South Korea’s People Power Party criticized President Lee Jae-myung over a nationwide survey of farmland.
The party accused Lee of shifting responsibility to Agriculture Minister Song Mi-ryung, who he said had proposed a nationwide survey.
Lee said he had wanted to check farmland near the Seoul metropolitan area suspected of being held for speculation.
Opposition figures called for an apology and said the government should address farmers’ concerns.
The criticism was reported on October 27, 2026.
- Who
- President Lee Jae-myung and the opposition People Power Party. Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok, floor leader Jeong Jeom-sik and other party figures criticized Lee.
- What
- The party accused Lee of blaming Agriculture Minister Song Mi-ryung for the nationwide farmland survey.
- When
- October 27, 2026. Lee made the statement about the minister the previous day, according to one article.
- Where
- South Korea.
- Why
- Lee said he had sought to check farmland near the Seoul metropolitan area held for speculation, but that the minister proposed a nationwide survey. The party criticized his account and the survey.
President Lee Jae-myung
People Power Party
Responsibility for the nationwide survey
President Lee Jae-myung
Lee said Agriculture Minister Song Mi-ryung proposed a nationwide survey after he sought to check farmland near the Seoul metropolitan area suspected of being held for speculation.
People Power Party
The party said Lee was shifting responsibility to the minister and should apologize for the survey.
Survey and response
President Lee Jae-myung
Lee’s stated aim was to check farmland suspected of being held for speculation.
People Power Party
Party figures said the government should explain the survey’s legal basis and principles and respond to farmers’ concerns with specific measures.
Lee said he had sought to check farmland near the Seoul metropolitan area suspected of being held for speculation and that Minister Song proposed a nationwide survey.
People Power Party figures criticized Lee over his account of how the nationwide survey was initiated.
- Survey scope
- Nationwide farmland survey
- President
- Lee Jae-myung
- Agriculture minister
- Song Mi-ryung
- Opposition party
- People Power Party
- Criticism reported
- October 27, 2026
What people are saying
The president's blaming of his minister is unsightly
I wanted to check the situation of farmland near the metropolitan area held for speculation, but Minister Song Mi-ryung proposed a nationwide survey, so we proceeded with it
The farmland transactions have already stopped and farmland prices have plummeted. Shouldn't you first apologize for the botched nationwide farmland survey?