By Kim Yeong Deok and Lee Jihae

President Moon Jae-in on Dec. 12 said, "We will implement the values of sustainable agricultural policy and boldly change the policy framework so that the benefits of innovation and growth are shared by many."

At a town hall meeting on changing the agricultural policy framework held at Korea National College of Agriculture and Fisheries in Jeonju, Jeollabuk-do Province, he expressed his administration's intent to implement "big shifts" in agricultural policy and create "farming and fishing villages to which people return."

President Moon also laid out plans to "materialize agricultural policy centered on humans and the environment" to open a new era in agriculture and fisheries.

He also pledged as the main goals of his policy "building farming and fishing villages where people want to live," "management of the supply and demand of agricultural and marine products and development of the pricing system," "realization of joyful and smart agriculture and fisheries," and "provision of safe food through food planning."

President Moon emphasized the values of agriculture and fisheries in modern society, saying, "(Both sectors) contain a long history of human survival and the solutions to the problems of future society."

He also stressed the importance of the two fields, saying, "We will revive the virtues of our people such as pumasi (the communal sharing of labor), dure (farmers' cooperative groups) and shinbaram (excitement), and develop strengths in agriculture and fishing villages for a sustainable society."

"We hope the bold changes in agricultural policy will lead youths to pave their future in farming and fishing villages and that senior citizens work and live healthy lives in a clean and safe environment there."

He added, "Through sharing and cooperation, I expect a revival of the spirit of agriculture and fishing villages where people lived together."

kyd1991@korea.kr