Order for Comprehensive Survey of ‘Idle Farmlands’ at Cabinet Meeting,
President Lee Jae-myung speaking at the 6th Cabinet Meeting held at the Sejong Room of the Blue House Main Building on the 24th in Seoul. 2026.02.24. Blue House press photographers, President Lee Jae-myung has ordered relevant ministries to conduct a full survey of farmland across the country that is not being used for farming. This plan aims to lower land prices in rural areas and reduce the costs associated with relocating or returning to rural life in order to encourage population influx into areas at risk of depopulation.
During the 6th Cabinet Meeting, President Lee remarked, “The Constitution mentions that those who farm should own the land,” and pointed out, “If one buys land claiming to farm but does not, it is subject to a sale order, yet there have been no actual cases handled this way.”
He continued, stating, “In cases where people pretend to farm by planting superficially and then neglect it, a sale order should be executed, but because rules are not enforced, people think they can simply pretend to farm after buying land. This indicates a fundamental problem with land management.”
According to the Constitution, the principle of ‘farmland to the farmer’ means that only those who intend to farm should own farmland, which requires a certificate of qualification to acquire such land. If someone buys farmland and does not farm, compliance orders, and if not followed, compulsory sale orders are issued.
The President also addressed the root causes of regional depopulation, highlighting that excessive costs of relocating or returning to rural communities could be a factor. He noted, “Due to abnormally high real estate prices, it’s challenging to settle down for those wishing to move to rural areas.” He emphasized that controlling real estate prices is key to solving various social issues, and farmland management should be reviewed.
He added, “We need to revise tax, regulations, and financial policies regarding farmland to ensure holding land for speculation or investment is considered ‘pointless,'” emphasizing the need to reduce land prices. “Our country’s farmland management is a mess and has become a target for speculation,” he criticized, “If you buy land claiming to farm and then don’t, a sale order should be issued, which hasn’t been the case.”