President invokes constitutional principle as opposition pushes back; heads to Mexico after New York visit
President Lee Jae Myung reaffirmed his commitment to conducting a comprehensive nationwide farmland survey on Wednesday (local time), saying it was "absolutely necessary to prevent farmland speculation and ensure proper use of agricultural land" while visiting New York for the UN General Assembly.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Lee said the principle that farmland must be owned by those who farm it — and the government's efforts to uphold it — constitutes "a constitutional mandate, the people's command." Appearing to address mounting opposition from rival parties, he declared: "Every previous administration avoided this because of resistance and backlash, but I will not avoid it."
Lee explained that the law, as established by the public and the National Assembly, requires the forced sale of farmland purchased with a declared intent to farm but left idle or illegally leased while the owner waits for land prices to rise.
He said he believes the public made him president to pursue real estate reform and to change "a broken system where the cunning who quietly break the law profit from farmland speculation while the law-abiding are left at a relative disadvantage." He also urged the public not to misread the policy's intent, stressing that elderly farmers who can no longer work the land and those who inherited farmland are not subject to forced disposal.
Lee warned that those engaged in farmland speculation were spreading misinformation to rally non-targets to their side in an effort to derail sanctions against themselves. "Even as interference grows and opposition intensifies, what needs to be done must be done," he said. "I trust the vast majority of good, law-abiding citizens."
He also addressed Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Minister Song Mi-ryeong directly, asking her to "explain the policy clearly so there are no misunderstandings," and thanked her for keeping chuseok prices in check and for her work on agricultural, livestock and fisheries administration.
Meanwhile, Lee wrapped up his New York visit on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly and departed for a state visit to Mexico. The trip was made at the invitation of Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and marks the first state visit to Mexico by a South Korean president in 16 years.
In Mexico, Lee is scheduled Thursday to lay a wreath at the Monument to the Heroes of the Nation before attending an official welcoming ceremony at the National Palace. He will then hold a summit with President Sheinbaum, take part in an MOU signing ceremony, join a luncheon and deliver a joint press statement. On Friday, Lee will attend a business forum and visit a K-Expo event before departing for home on Saturday.
igiza77@heraldcorp.com
