South Koreaโ€™s government is seeking legislation that would prevent inherited farmland and other non-speculative cases uncovered by a nationwide farmland investigation from automatically entering disposal proceedings. The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs said the survey is intended to identify accumulated problems and guide reform, rather than force ordinary owners to sell land solely because existing arrangements do not meet every requirement of the Farmland Act.

Under the proposed special measures law, inherited plots would generally be used as evidence for future policy changes even when the investigation identifies fallow land or holdings above ownership limits. Similar protection would apply to elderly farmers who can no longer cultivate directly, customary leases involving neighbors or relatives, land with complicated ownership records, inaccessible plots that are difficult to farm, and certain unpermitted agricultural facilities.

The relief would not cover conduct the government classifies as clear speculation. The ministry identified three target patterns: acquiring farmland in a land transaction permit zone with a farming plan but leaving or leasing it without cultivation, buying fractional interests through auctions using a false farming plan for resale gains, and using an agricultural corporation to divide, sell or lease farmland for property income. Owners would receive an opportunity to explain their circumstances before a disposal order is considered under current law.

Relief would distinguish ordinary cases from speculation

The proposal would also create a temporary route for owners and cultivators to regularize longstanding arrangements. Customary leases could be recognized for the contract term if the parties sign a written agreement during the special period, regardless of whether the earlier arrangement met current leasing rules. Facilities that could originally have qualified under other laws could seek approval after construction, while non-agricultural facilities would still be subject to farmland preservation charges.

Land classifications could also be corrected where official records no longer match long-term use, including farmland that has reverted to woodland, woodland used for farming, and burial sites. The ministry stressed that placing land with the Farmland Bank would remain voluntary, rather than becoming a condition for avoiding disposal proceedings.

  • Inherited, customarily leased and difficult-to-farm plots would generally avoid disposal proceedings.
  • Written contracts could regularize customary leases during a temporary special period.
  • Three defined forms of speculative acquisition or corporate misuse could still trigger enforcement.

Separately, the government plans to broaden Farmland Bank purchases and trusteeship beyond farmland in agricultural promotion zones when other plots remain usable for agriculture. It will seek additional 2027 funding to reduce purchase backlogs and introduce more coordinated acquisitions based on local demand and farming efficiency. A one-stop process is also planned so applicants do not need to visit multiple agencies.

Special measures bill target
Introduction in October and completion of parliamentary procedures by December
Broader reform target
Farmland Act revision during the first half of 2027
Farmland Bank participation
Voluntary for owners seeking leasing, sale or tenant-matching services

The ministry aims to work with the National Assembly on introducing the special measures bill in October and completing parliamentary procedures by December. It also plans a broader Farmland Act revision in the first half of 2027, informed by the investigation and feedback gathered during implementation. Until legislation passes, the announced exemptions and regularization measures remain government proposals rather than completed changes to ownersโ€™ legal obligations.